A92856:733
The parable of the prodigal. Containing, The riotous prodigal, or The sinners aversion from…
The parable of the prodigal. Containing, The riotous prodigal, or The sinners aversion from God. Returning prodigal, or The penitents conversion to God. Prodigals acceptation, or Favourable entertainment with God. Delivered in divers sermons on Luke 15. from vers. 11. to vers. 24. By that faithful servant of Jesus Christ Obadiah Sedgwick, B.D. Perfected by himself, and perused by those whom he entrusted with the publishing of his works.The parable of the prodigal. Containing, The riotous prodigal, or The sinners aversion from God. Returning prodigal, or The penitents conversion to God. Prodigals acceptation, or Favourable entertainment with God. Delivered in divers sermons on Luke 15. from vers. 11. to vers. 24. By that faithfull servant of Jesus Christ Obadiah Sedgwick, B.D. Perfected by himself, and perused by those whom he intrusted with the publishing of his works.
London: printed by D. Maxwel for Sa. Gellibrand, 1660
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. When the Lord hath changed and converted the heart of a sinner, the sinner presently flies unto Jesus Christ: The first stroke of Grace is on the heart, and the first breathing of Grace is for Christ; as the new born babe flies unto the breasts, or as any creature doth to its centre, and place of rest. For when the heart is changed by converting grace, 1. It breeds the most exquisite discovery and sense of sin, and consequently of the souls need of Christ. 2. It is most impatient of distance or difference with God, and prizeth his reconciled favour superlatively, cannot live without it. 3. It seeth nothing more valuable in it self, or more suitable to its condition then Christ, Christus amor meus pondus meum. And therefore, if you take notice of it, you may experimentally find upon the first impressions of Grace, that the soul is mostly taken up with Christ, and with Faith: Oh, that I might be found in him! Oh, that I could believe on him! It sees excellency in Christ, and Peace in Christ, and Redemption in Christ, and Righteousness in Christ, and Grace in Christ, and Kindness in Christ, and Help, and Life, and Heaven, and all in Christ. In Conversion, Christ secretly draws the Soul to himself; and being converted, the soul strives to draw Christ to it self; It would have Christ, it must have Christ; it is never well, it is never satisfied until it hath Christ.
2. When the Lord hath changed and converted the heart of a sinner, the sinner presently flies unto Jesus Christ: The first stroke of Grace is on the heart, and the first breathing of Grace is for Christ; as the new born babe flies unto the brests, or as any creature doth to its center, and place of rest. For when the heart is changed by converting grace, 1. It breeds the most exquisite discovery and sense of sin, and consequently of the souls need of Christ. 2. It is most impatient of distance or difference with God, and prizeth his reconciled favour superlatively, cannot live without it. 3. It seeth nothing more valuable in it self, or more sutable to its condition then Christ, Christus amor meus pondus meum. And therefore, if you take notice of it, you may experimentally find upon the first impressions of Grace, that the soul is mostly taken up with Christ, and with Faith: Oh, that I might be found in him! Oh, that I could believe on him! It sees excellency in Christ, and Peace in Christ, and Redemption in Christ, and Righteousness in Christ, and Grace in Christ, and Kindness in Christ, and Help, and Life, and Heaven, and all in Christ. In Conversion, Christ secretly draws the Soul to himself; and being converted, the soul strives to draw Christ to it self; It would have Christ, it must have Christ; it is never well, it is never satisfied until it hath Christ.