N00302:284
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.
4. Here he hath his whole dependence or reliance for relief, this is the utmost essay he hath to make, it is his last shift, and if this course fails him he is undone: As a servant expects (at least) food and raiment for his work, so the sinner hopes to get quiet and settlement in the service of Satan. Now the reason why men do thus oftentimes, after they have been convinced of misery, lies here, because ⟨p. 115⟩this conviction doth not so properly put man upon it to get rid of sin, but to get his terrors removed, to get off his fears; and now Satan persuades him with many wiles to yield to him, and he will effect it, but how poorly he performs it for them, we shall soon hear.
4. Here he hath his whole dependance or relyance for relief, this is the utmost essay he hath to make, it is his last shift, and if this course fails him he is undone: As a servant expects (at least) food and rayment for his work, so the sinner hopes to get quiet and settlement in the service of Satan. Now the reason why men do thus oftentimes, after they have been convinced of misery, lyes here, because ⟨p. 115⟩this conviction doth not so properly put man upon it to get rid of sin, but to get his terrors removed, to get off his fears; and now Satan perswades him with many wiles to yield to him, and he will effect it, but how poorly he performs it for them, we shall soon hear.
USE. Hence we may learn what to judge of all those who are remaining in a state of nature; they are in most servile slavish condition, and let every unregenerate man lay it to heart, consider therefore.