A92856:734
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.
3. When the Lord hath converted and changed the heart of a sinner, there is wrought in him a present love of God: It is wonderful to see how the Tide turns upon Conversion. There was once one found weeping very bitterly; and being demanded, why! O, said he, all other things are loved, but Amorum amatur, Love it self is not loved. So before Conversion, a man could find love for his Parents, and love for his Relations, and love for his Recreations, and love for his Profits, and love for his Sins; but no love for God. But after Conversion, the man can ⟨p. 322⟩scarce find any love for any, unless it be for his God, and in his God. A graciously changed Heart is enabled to see, 1. The glories in God; those most Pure and Amiable Excellencies in God. 2. The Transcendent Love of God to it, in the Eternity of it, in the Freeness of it, in the Sweetness and Goodness of it. 3. The Unspeakable Communications and Bounties of God towards it in Jesus Christ; for the present, and for the future: It is Grace which makes us to see what a gracious God he is: It is Grace which makes us to see what a Royal gift Jesus Christ is; It is Grace which makes us apprehensive of all the Love in God, and from God; and therefore no marvel that the changed heart falls presently in love with God; (O Love the Lord all ye his Saints) into a Love of Friendship, and into a Love of Complacence, as they speak; that it admires God, and prizeth Communion with him; and takes its full and highest delight in him: Plusquam mea, plusquam meos, plusquam me, said Bernard.
3. When the Lord hath converted and changed the heart of a sinner, there is wrought in him a present love of God: It is wonderful to see how the Tide turns upon Conversion. There was once one found weeping very bitterly; and being demanded, why! O, said he, all other things are loved, but Amorum amatur, Love it self is not loved. So before Conversion, a man could find love for his Parents, and love for his Relations, and love for his Recreations, and love for his Profits, and love for his Sins; but no love for God. But after Conversion, the man can ⟨p. 322⟩scarce find any love for any, unless it be for his God, and in his God. A graciously changed Heart is enabled to see, 1. The glories in God; those most Pure and Amiable Excellencies in God. 2. The Transcendent Love of God to it, in the Eternity of it, in the Freeness of it, in the Sweetness and Goodness of it. 3. The Unspeakable Communications and Bounties of God towards it in Jesus Christ; for the present, and for the future: It is Grace which makes us to see what a gracious God he is: It is Grace which makes us to see what a Royal gift Jesus Christ is; It is Grace which makes us apprehensive of all the Love in God, and from God; and therefore no marvel that the changed heart fals presently in love with God; (O Love the Lord all ye his Saints) into a Love of Friendship, and into a Love of Complacence, as they speake; that it admires God, and prizeth Communion with him; and takes its full and highest delight in him: Plusquam mea, plusquam meos, plusquam me, said Bernard.