A92856:89
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.
3. Study to find and taste that pleasure which ariseth from an entire communion with God, and a conversation which is upright. 1Talk what thou wilt, the soul will have some pleasure or other; if it pitcheth not on God, for it, it will stray aside to sin for it. Now then strive to take pleasure in the Lord, and in his work, and in his way, and in his Graces, and in his Christ: This shalt thou find of spiritual pleasure.2
- 1Study to find and taste pleasure in communion with God.
- 2Spiritual pleasures are
1. It is more sweet a thousand times then that of sin: One glass of Spring-water is more sweet then a Caldron of Sea-water; 1though the Sea be larger, it is fouler and mixed. 2. It is more lasting and durable: Ah, thou needest not to repent of it; it is 2a Spring, and not a Puddle, and its foundation is constant; never forsake thy mercies, for lying vanities. 3. It is 3more affecting then the other: That of sin goes not beyond the sense and affections, but this of God enters into the conscience, which is the seat of truest comfort or saddest misery. 4. It 4will drown your sinful pleasures: Oh, thou shalt find such a real value, such a surpassing excellency, such a full contentment in the all-sufficient God, that thou mayest well say as Ephraim, What have I to do any more with Idols! So thou with the vain, piercing, false, short, pleasures of sin. Therefore set thy heart not on sin, but holiness; though it may fall out, that at the beginning the ways of God and holiness may seem bitter unto thee, yet know, 1. This bitterness either is by reason of thy former pleasant sins, or thy present sinful nature: 2. That assuredly thy delights in holiness will bring thee at last to that right hand where there are pleasures for evermore; for as sin, though pleasant in entrance, is bitter in conclusion, so holiness, though it sets forth with a storm, shall land safely in a calm.