A92856:804
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.
1. That they are enemies to their joy and comfort, who are adversaries 1to their Conversion. Prov. 1. 22. How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity, and ye Scorners delight in scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Six things show one to be in an unconverted condition; Unsensibleness, Love of sin, Path of evil, hatred of Reformation, despising the Means of Conversion, loathing of Converted-Persons. There are some persons who hate to be reformed, who hold fast their ••ns, and will not let them go; they are like those stiff-necked Jews, who always resisted the Holy Ghost; a disobedient people to the Call of God, they refuse to put their necks into the yoke of Jesus Christ, and will not be bound with his cords; They love their sinful ways, and will not return to the Almighty: Why! Write that man childless, said God of Coniah; So I say of these men, Write them comfortless: Will the Lord lye for you? Or will he misplace his hands for you? Peace is the effect of righteousness, and Joy is the fruit of Conversion. And shalt thou have pleasure, who takest pleasure in unrighteousness? Shalt thou know the ways of Peace, who wilt not know the path of Holiness? Did ever God smile on him who hated God? Or clasp him with joy, who despised his grace with ⟨p. 355⟩hatred? Go enquire and search all the Springs of joy, and knock at all the Gates of pleasure, diligently ask, What of delight they contain for thee? Knock at the mercy-seat, which is the Gate of God, and ask; Lord, hast thou not joy for one who will go on in his sins, and will not return unto thee? No (saith God) not any; but he who forsakes his sins shall have mercy, and he who hardens his heart shall fall into mischief, Prov. 28. 13, 14. Knock at the Gospel, which is the gate of Christ, and ask; Blessed Jesus, hast thou no word of comfort for him who resists thy spirit, and will not come in unto thee? No not I (saith Christ) not any; thou despisest the goodness of God, and by thy impenitency and hardness, treasurest unto thy self wrath against the day of wrath. Knock at conscience, which is the gate of thine own soul, and ask; O conscience, h•st thou not a word of peace to speak to one who loves his sins, and is an enemy to God and godliness? Who, I, saith conscience! not I; thou art an enemy of righteousness, and in the gall of bitterness, and except thou repent, thou shalt certainly perish.