N00302:133
Mercy magnified on a penitent prodigal, or A brief discourse, wherein Christs parable of…
Mercy magnified on a penitent prodigal, or A brief discourse, wherein Christs parable of the lost son found, is opened and applied, as it was delivered in sundry sermons, / by Samuel Willard teacher of a church in Boston in New-England. ; [Two lines from Luke]
printed by Samuel Green for Samuel Philips, 1684
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.
USE, 2. Here also see the reason why persons of greatest abilities and advantages, are many times the most averse from doing any thing to the glory of God: We often see it is so, and wonder whence it comes so to be, we think, oh, what, and how much might such and such a man do for God, if he would but propound it to himself as his business to live to him? but alas, as they have a great portion of Gods blessings, so they have great lusts to gratify, and they live at their devotion; hereupon, let God call for their service, let their consciences tell them they wrong their own souls. Let the name and interest of Christ call never so much for their assistance, lust countermands, sin that reigns there will not have it to be so, and men have taken it up as a practical resolution, that they will sooner displease God than their lusts.
USE, 2. Here also see the reason why persons of greatest abilities and advantages, are many times the most averse from doing any thing to the glory of God: We often see it is so, and wonder whence it comes so to be, we think, oh, what, and how much might such and such a man do for God, if he would but propound it to himself as his business to live to him? but alas, as they have a great portion of Gods blessings, so they have great lusts to gratifie, and they live at their devotion; hereupon, let God call for their service, let their consciences tell them they wrong their own souls. Let the name and interest of Christ call never so much for their assistance, lust countermands, sin that reigns there will not have it to be so, and men have taken it up as a practical resolution, that they will sooner displease God than their lusts.
USE. 3. Let this serve to convince unregenerate men of their great wickedness, and show them what a dreadful account they will have to give in to God at the great day: Consider of it solemnly, is it not enough for you to go away from God your selves, but must you needs carry away the whole creation of Gods goodness with you? Shall God gratify your desires in giving you a large portion of his bounty, and can you not give him one hearty acknowledgement for it all, but because he gives you in abundance, do you therefore say to the Almighty depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways?