A92856:762
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.
It is sometimes called Light, which is pleasant to the eye; Ointment, which is pleasant to the smell; Wine, which is pleasant to the taste; Music, or the joyful sound, which is pleasant to the ear. Nay, yet again, it is sometimes called Truth, and that is pleasant to the understanding; Goodness, and that is pleasant to the will; a Kingdom, and that is pleasant to desire; an Inheritance, and that is pleasant to hope; Communion, and that is pleasant to love; a Possession, and and that is pleasant to joy; a Victory, and that is pleasant to hatred; a Security, and that is pleasant to fear; Heaven, the Kingdom of Heaven, and that is pleasantness itself; and all this even under fears and combats, when at the first, and weakest, and lowest: Nay, yet once more, it is set out by all the occasions, and by all the times of joy, to the birth of a man-child; for joy that a manchild is born (said Christ;) A converted man is a new-born. To the day of Marriage, which some call the only day of joy; a converted man is married to Christ: To a Feast, Isai. 25. 6. Every dish is filled with mercy. To a Coronation day, which was a day of gladness of heart to Solomon, Cant. 3. 11. There is a crown of life for every converted soul. To the time of Harvest, when the Husbandman reaps with joy, Isai. 9. 3. To the returns ⟨p. 335⟩of Merchants upon the increase of Wine and Oil; Psal. 4. To a ransom and release from bondage and captivity; a converted man is set at liberty, he is a freeman in Christ 4. Consider Conversion in the Causes of it, or in the very 1Nature of it, or in the Acts flowing from it; certainly by all of them you may be induced to believe that it makes the Condition joyful and pleasant. 1. The Causes of it, which are four, 1. The Radical cause. Why! Conversion drops out of the Eternal Love of God to a mans soul. Behold what manner of Love, 1 Jo. 3. 1. as many as were ordained to eternal life believed, Acts. 13. 2. The Meritorious cause: Who loved us and gave himself for us,