A92856:837
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.
4. Get a little more understanding and judgment about your converted 1and gracious condition. Shall I help thee a little with a few Considerations and Informations? Know then, 1. The great Fountain of thy Joy lies more in thy Justification then in thy Sanctification. Thou hast not so much Holiness as another, but thou hast of Christs Righteousness; thou canst not apprehend so strongly, but thou art apprehended as strongly, Christ lays as fast hold of thee. 2. That Grace and Weakness may dwell together. It may be very true, though very weak, the smoking flax, and the bruised reed, and the grain of mustard-seed; A Father hath one Child in the Cradle, and another in the Shop; a Shepherd hath Lambs in the flock, as well as Sheep; the Gardiner hath Plants, as well as Trees; and Christ hath Babes, as well as strong Men, belonging to him. 3. That the least Grace, and the great Love of God do go together: The little drop of Grace comes out of the Ocean of his great Love; the Penny, as well as the Shilling, bears the Superscription. 4. That the least degree of true Grace denominates the condition to be converted: I would believe, is Faith; I would love thee, is Love; I desire to do thy will, is Obedience: Not Strength, but Truth denominates. 5. True Grace and many Conflicts go together: Let the motions of sin be never so vile, but I hate them; never so many, but I resist them; here Grace is the Lord which rules me, ⟨p. 366⟩though sin be the Enemy which molests me. Why am I thus? Alas, there are contraries in thee, Light and Darkness, Flesh and Spirit. 6. True Grace and some Failings may lodge together: I may at the same time be a Captive to Sin, and yet a Servant to Grace; sin may sometimes be too strong even for him who hates sin. 7. All services to God are interpreted and accepted by God according to the will of a converted person: Although thou canst not pray so freely, so fully, so uniformly, yet if God see a will in thee desirous so to do, it shall pass for currant; groans, and sighs, and chatterings, and desires, and tears, &c. 8. Thou never doest any Duty, but Jesus Christ gives acceptance unto it by his Intercession; his sweet Incense takes off the ill savour: The greatest work done by thee, if it comes in thy own name, is rejected; the weakest, if presented in his Name, a sigh or groan, is graciously accepted; as the Sacrifices by the Priest. 9.