N00302:242
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.
1. They now feel that they are mortal, and must go shortly to another world, they could not endure to think of this formerly, nor did practically believe it, but now they apprehend it as a reality, and matter of concern.
2. They are made to discern that trust in ⟨p. 100⟩themselves and in the world is vain, and that by reason of the foregoing truth: They now remember that they have been hitherto thinking of time, and providing for that, but had forgotten eternity: They thought of no heaven but in the enjoyment of the world and favour of it, but now they see that all this will not avail them for an everlasting state.
2. They are made to discern that trust in ⟨p. 100⟩themselves and in the world is vain, and that by reason of the foregoing truth: They now rememher that they have been hitherto thinking of time, and providing for that, but had forgotten eternity: They thought of no heaven but in the enjoyment of the world and favous of it, but now they see that all this will not avail them for an everlasting state.
3. They now remember the curses of the Law against such as do these and those things, or against all the progeny of fallen Adam in a natural condition, and are convinced that they are the men against whom they are denounced; and now apprehending themselves hasting to eternity, and to have done nothing in way of providing for it, this becomes a terrible thought in them; and they are extremely certified with the thought of a future state, for which they have been taking no care: The severity of the word, and the fears of death oppress them, and they know not how they shall do to go into another world, and now they begin to be in want, all is leaving them, and they are naked and have no portion, and the world cannot keep them alive, for there is a famine. The thoughts of dwelling with everlasting burnings, possesseth them with fearfulness, Isa. 35. 14.