N00302:269
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. Negatively.
1. Not because there is indeed any help to be had elsewhere, for indeed there is none: Mans misery is such as the whole creation cannot repair it, it's vain to look any where for salvation, Jer. 3. 23. Man may try many conclusions, but it is a certain truth before he tries, that he shall be wholly disappointed, they who forsake God, follows lies.
1. Not because there is indeed any help to be had elsewhere, for indeed there is none: Mans misery is such as the whole creation cannot repair it, it's vain to look any where for salvation, Jer. 3. 23. Man may try many conclusions, but it is a certain truth before he tryes, that he shall be wholly disappointed, they who forsake God, followes lies.
2. Nor because there is not help to be had with God for such: Fallen, back-slidden, wandering Prodigals may have hope with him in returning, Hos. 13. 9. Oh Israel thou hast destroyed thy self, but in me is thy help. Hence the following invitation, Chap. 14. 1. The Prodigal when he came home found it so. God is both able and willing, hence he never casts off a true penitent, but always gave to such the best welcome.
2. Nor because there is not help to be had with God for such: Fallen, back-slidden, wandring Prodigals may have hope with him in returning,