A92856:796
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. But then know, that mourning for sin and joy in the heart are no way inconsistent. Isai 12. 3. With joy shall ye draw water 1out of the wells of salvation. Three things I would grant, 1. That love of sin and true joy are inconsistent; 2. Worldly sorrow and spiritual joy are inconsistent; 3. That terror for sin and joy of heart are inconsistent; Legal terror and Evangelical joy are so, but Evangelical sorrow and Evangelical joy are not so; for as one grace is consistent with another grace, so one heavenly affection is consistent with another heavenly affection. And there are three things which (to me) fully convince, That Evangelical mourning is consistent with Spiritual joy: One is, That such a mourning is but a drop out of the eye of faith; They shall look upon him whom they have pierced, and mourn, Zach. 12. 10. and certainly, nothing comes from faith, but what is comfortable; all is Gospel that Faith trades in. Another is, That the mourning heart is a renewed heart, and verily the gracious heart is a joyous heart. The third is, That the mourning sinner is a pardoned sinner: (Cum intueor flentem, sentis ignoscibilem,) if the fountain of sorrow be set open in the heart, the fountain of mercy is set open in heaven, Zach. 12. 10. compared with chap. 13. 1. Yea let me add to this also three experiences: 1. One is this, That the Christian is never more sad and mournful, then when he feels his heart least mournful: He is then cast down; O (saith he) into what a condition am I brought? I was wont to find a tender, sensible mourning spirit; but me thinks now my heart is grown hard again: O Lord, why am I now hardened from thy fear? And the man never gives over with God and himself, until tenderness be renewed in his heart again. 2. That the Christian is never more joyful, then when he is most mournful: Blessed are they that sow besides all Waters, saith the Prophet. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted, saith Christ. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy, saith David. Godly sorrow is the Water that is turned into Wine; One drop of a guilty Conscience is able to turn all our Joys into Bitterness, and one drop of ⟨p. 351⟩godly sorrow is able to turn all our bitterness into joy. I rejoice, saith Paul, that I made you sorry; what cause then had they to rejoice who were sorry? sorry after a godly sort;