N00302:332
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 we are informed that an eager, resolute, and insatiable pursuit after the things of this world, is an argument of an unregenerate man; or an evidence of one that is not as yet truly converted unto God. It is clear and undeniable, that a mans chief good is his highest pursuit; and hence if he makes those things his utmost reach, it is a proof that he never knew better, and that is the very reason why he is so violent after them: Wonder not then that covetousness is so often in Scripture branded with the odious name of Idolatry; it being a resolved and not to be questioned Truth, that the World is the covetous mans God.
USE, 3. Let this consideration be an incentive and strong persuasive to the people of God, to stir them up to the more eagerness in pursuit after heaven and heavenly things, and to look for your souls satisfaction in them: When you see the men of the world so eager and busy in seeking to load themselves with thick clay, how should it fill you with an holy emulation, and excite you with utmost endeavour to labour to outstrip them in this more profitable pursuit? And it may encourage you to be as diligent as; yea more solicitous than they, to consider.
USE, 3. Let this consideration be an incentive and strong perswasive to the people of God, to stir them up to the more eagerness in pursuit after heaven and heavenly things, and to look for your souls satisfaction in them: When you see the men of the world so eager and busie in seeking to load themselves with thick clay, how should it fill you with an holy emulation, and excite you with utmost endeavour to labour to outstrip them in this more profitable pursuit? And it may encourage you to be as diligent as; yea more follicitous than they, to consider.
1. That they labour for the things that perish, but you are an enduring substance: When they have gotten it (if ever they do get the World) it soon vanisheth away again; but what you have in your eye and aim, is a treasure that endures, and never will wax old or go to decay: With this argument the Apostle stirs up his Corinthians,