N00302:44
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.
DOCT. That Gods Grace oftentimes obuseth the vilest and worst of men to make it self known upon.
Such as men would least regard, God hath many times the largest favour for: Hence that of our Saviour, Mat. 21.31. The Publicans and Harlots go into the Kingdom of God before you: and here the Fathers special love is expressed to the younger Son: all Jesse's elder Sons are refused by God, and David, the youngest is appointed and anointed King: and many that are last are first.
Reas. For the exaltation of free Grace, and manifestation of the Sovereignty of Gods good pleasure. Should God make application of his saving mercy, only to men of a sober profession, and civil conversation, and such as are more outwardly advantaged, me• might begin to think, that there was some worth in their persons, some merit in their civil carriage, some obligation on God by their visible relation, to give them the Kingdom of Glory: but now when he chooseth such an one, here appears to be nothing of the creature to obscure his Grace: this Peter acknowledged when he saw the Holy Ghost was given to the Gentile Believers, Act.10.34,35. Of a truth I perceive that God is no respectre of persons, &c. and on ⟨p. 12⟩this account is our Saviours doxology, or thankful celebration of Gods Grace, Mat. 11. 25, 26.
Reas. For the exaltation of free Grace, and manifestation of the Soveraignty of Gods good pleasure. Should God make application of his saving mercy, only to men of a sober profession, and civil conversation, and such as are more outwardly advantaged, me might begin to think, that there was some worth in their persons, some merit in their civil carriage, some obligation on God by their visible relation, to give them the Kingdom of Glory: but now when he chuseth such an one, here appears to be nothing of the creature to obscure his Grace: this Peter acknowledged when he saw the Holy Ghost was given to the Gentile Believers,