A92856:748
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. Converting grace, although it be wrought at once, yet it is 1brought on by degrees: The truth of it begins in an instant, but the strength of it comes in time. It is a very curious question why God gives Grace by degrees, or successively in this life, and not all at once, but still leaves some sinful corruption behind. Divines conjecture three reasons of it? 1. Our present incapacity of a present fullness: The Bottle cannot be filled but by degrees, though the Ocean be full; there is as much grace given at first as to make a new creature, but not a strong creature. 2. Our estate on earth, must be a combating estate, to difference the estate of grace and glory; that in heaven only is the crowning and triumphing. 3. And it is an estate of faith, which is a continual dependence, and a continual drawing of help, and a continual recourse to the fountain: In Creation, Perfection of being was at once, and in Glorification at once; but not so in Sanctification, this rises like Ezekiels Water, or like the light of the Sun. This may yet satisfy thee, though grace be imperfect and not full at once. 1. Justification is perfect. 2. Though you find but little, yet you cannot be satisfied without more. 3. You have perfecting means of holiness, though you have not perfect holiness; a word to build you up. 4. That God who hath begun, has promised to finish, and your little is a pledge of more. 5. Truth of grace may lye in a little compass.
2. Converting grace, although it be wrought at once, yet it is 1brought on by degrees: The truth of it begins in an instant, but the strength of it comes in time. It is a very curious question why God gives Grace by degrees, or successively in this life, and not all at once, but still leaves some sinful corruption behind. Divines conjecture three reasons of it? 1. Our present incapacity of a present fulness: The Bottle cannot be filled but by degrees, though the Ocean be full; there is as much grace given at first as to make a new creature, but not a strong creature. 2. Our estate on earth, must be a combating estate, to difference the estate of grace and glory; that in heaven only is the crowning and triumphing. 3. And it is an estate of faith, which is a continual dependance, and a continual drawing of help, and a continual recourse to the fountain: In Creation, Perfection of being was at once, and in Glorification at once; but not so in Sanctification, this rises like Ezekiels Water, or like the light of the Sun. This may yet satisfie thee, though grace be imperfect and not full at once. 1. Justification is perfect. 2. Though you find but little, yet you cannot be fatisfyed without more. 3. You have perfecting means of holiness, though you have not perfect holiness; a word to build you up. 4. That God who hath begun, has promised to finish, and your little is a pledg of more. 5. Truth of grace may lye in a little compass.