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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. It flows not from an interest in Christ, for it is the encouragement of a soul that hath been estranged from him to go to him; for God allures the soul to Christ, by setting this hope before him, and effectually persuading him to embrace it; and it is the usual method, of the spirit to come in with it into the soul; so Ephraim, Jer. 31. 18.
1. It flows not from an interest in Christ, for it is the encouragment of a soul that hath been estranged from him to go to him; for God allures the soul to Christ, by setting this hope before him, and effectually perswading him to embrace it; and it is the usual method, of the spirit to come in with it into the soul; so Ephraim, Jer. 31. 18.
2. It ariseth only from a possibility, or at furthest a probability that he may here find acceptance, and obtain a full supply of all the good he needs, and not from a certainty, or promise, or covenant in which he may claim it: you have it expressed in Jonah, 3. 9. Who knows but the Lord may be gracious? The sinking soul hears news that there may be a redress had for him, that there is one who not only ⟨p. 191⟩can do, but hath done as much for such as he, which makes him to bear up, and puts him upon waiting in the use of means.
2. It ariseth only from a possibility, or at furthest a probability that he may here find acceptance, and obtain a full supply of all the good he needs, and not from a certainty, or promise, or covenant in which he may claim it: you have it expressed in Janah, 3. 9. Who knows but the Lord may be gracious? The sinking soul hears news that there may be a redress had for him, that there is one who not only ⟨p. 191⟩can do, but hath done as much for such as he, which makes him to bear up, and puts him upon waiting in the use of means.
What of encouragement ariseth from these considerations?
What of encouragment ariseth from these considerations?
Answ. Here is the only Rational encouragement of an humbled sinner: He can find none with looking elsewhere: if he look upon the world he sees nothing but famine; if upon himself, he hath spent all, and is utterly undone, it is only in God that he can expect to find any relief. Now the Soul is not first made to believe, and then see the reason of it, but the spirit of God draws the soul to believe, by making it see the excellency of the object, and so persuading it; he is first made to see the ground of hope, and then to follow, as the Prodigal here. Now both of these Attributes are full of encouragement.
Answ. Here is the only Rational encouragment of an humbled sinner: He can find none with looking elsewhere: if he look upon the world he sees nothing but famine; if upon himself, he hath spent all, and is utterly undone, it is only in God that he can expect to find any relief. Now the Soul is not first made to believe, and then see the reason of it, but the spirit of God draws the soul to believe, by making it see the excellency of the object, and so perswading it; he is first made to see the ground of hope, and then to follow, as the Prodigal here. Now both of these Attributes are full of encouragement.
1. The sufficiency of God; it cannot but animate the Prodigal, to think that there is bread enough and to spare in his fathers house: Starving beggars are not wont to ask relief of beggars like themselves, but they go to the rich: Men account it vain to ask an alms where they know there is nothing to be had; but where they understand there is enough, they will be very importunate, because they know such an one can, if the hath an heart to it, do them a kindness: So, here the soul discovers ⟨p. 192⟩a possibility that he may have succour, because God is able; there is all fullness in him, he can save him from hell, and wrath, and misery, and bestow life and salvation upon him if he sees meet: When Jacob heard there was bread in Egypt, he said to his Sons, Why do you sit still and look one on another, and die? So, when a soul hears there is all Grace with God, it prompts him to say, why do I tarry here then, and perish? God therefore thus propounds himself to destroyed Israel, Hos. 13.9. In me is thy help. And Christ propounds it as a question to them in order to their cure, Matt. 9. 28. Believe ye that I am able to do this? Now possibility apprehended gives ease to extreme necessity, and when a soul hears of it, it will not cast off all hope, till it hath made utmost proof, and hence the soul is helped to come to Christ believing, hence the poor Leper makes this his argument, and comes with it: Mat. 8. 2. If thou wilt thou canst make me clean.
1. The sufficiency of God; it cannot but animate the Prodigal, to think that there is bread enough and to spare in his fathers house: Starving beggars are not wont to ask relief of beggars like themselves, but they go to the rich: Men account it vain to ask an alms where they know there is nothing to be had; but where they understand there is enough, they will be very importunate, because they know such an one can, if the hath an heart to it, do them a kindness: So, here the soul discovers ⟨p. 192⟩a possibility that he may have succour, because God is able; there is all fulness in him, he can save him from hell, and wrath, and misery, and bestow life and salvation upon him if he sees meet: When Jacob heard there was bread in Egypt, he said to his Sons, Why do you sit still and look one on another, and dy? So, when a soul hears there is all Grace with God, it prompts him to say, why do I tarry here then, and perish? God therefore thus propounds himself to destroyed Israel,
2. The bounty of God added to his sufficiency gives further strength to hope, in that it discovereth more than a possibility, viz. some probability: The Fathers bounty to hired servants, made the son think, he not only hath enough, but is very free of it, why then may not I, who am a son, though a Prodigal, make proof of it? Beggars go more cheerfully to, and knock more liberally at a bountiful man's ⟨p. 193⟩door, because they are ready to promise themselves relief; not that they deserve more of him than of another, but because he is more ready to communicate his favour than a churl is: When a poor sinner considers how kind God is, how full of mercy, how liberally he distributes his favours, how he deals his kindnesses undeserved; and scatters them, not with a sparing but bountiful hand, now, thinks he, why may I not speed? why may not I come as well as another, and hope to find him kind to me, as well as others have done? Hence God puts this argument into their mouths, Hos. 14. 3. With thee the fatherless findeth mercy. You find David makes a plea of this, Psal. 86. 5. Thou, O Lord, art good, and ready to forgive. Now, though the soul have never a promise to rely on (for that is received in believing) yet he hath a support against despair, and argument to drive him to go to God for his mercy.
2. The bounty of God added to his sufficiency gives further strength to hope, in that it discovereth more than a possibility, viz. some probability: The Fathers bounty to hired servants, made the son think, he not only hath enough, but is very free of it, why then may not I, who am a son, though a Prodigal, make proof of it? Beggars go more chearfully to, and knock more liberally at a bountiful man's ⟨p. 193⟩door, because they are ready to promise themselves relief; not that they deserve more of him than of another, but because he is more ready to communicate his favour than a churle is: When a poor sinner considers how kind God is, how full of mercy, how liberally he distributes his favours, how he deals his kindnesses undeserved; and scatters them, not with a sparing but bountiful hand, now, thinks he, why may I not speed? why may not I come as well as another, and hope to find him kind to me, as well as others have done? Hence God puts this argument into their mouths,
3. That this encouragement is of use only to perishing sinners: The Prodigal comes not to this thought till he is at an utter loss, and he joins it to that consideration, I perish with hunger: And there is great reason for this, for,
3. That this encouragment is of use only to perishing sinners: The Prodigal comes not to this thought till he is at an utter loss, and he joynes it to that consideration, I perish with hunger: And there is great reason for this, for,
1. As long as a sinner hath any thing at home, he minds not nor regards God, but saith to the Almighty, depart; men that have supplies within doors will not go abroad, and ⟨p. 194⟩knock at other doors for relief: Hence, to a proud and carnally confident sinner it is no encouragement, that God hath bread enough, and is ready to distribute it to such as come and ask it, for what is that to him who needs it not, who is full, and wants for nothing? He feels himself well and lusty, the Physician may go about his business he hath no need of him.
1. As long as a sinner hath any thing at home, he minds not nor regards God, but saith to the Almighty, depart; men that have supplies within doors will not go abroad, and ⟨p. 194⟩knock at other doors for relief: Hence, to a proud and carnally confident sinner it is no encouragement, that God hath bread enough, and is ready to distribute it to such as come and ask it, for what is that to him who needs it not, who is full, and wants for nothing? He feels himself well and lusty, the Physitian may go about his business he hath no need of him.
2. Hence also these encouragements are not nextly and immediately exhibited to sinners, till they come to this stare and sense: The Gospel is not properly preached to men till they are prepared for it by the Law: Christ therefore saith, that he did not come to call the righteous: i. e. men rich with the opinion of their own sanctity; but sinners, i. e. such as were sensible of sin. It is the hunger-bitten soul that longs for bread, the faint and thirsty that hearkens after springs of water. Christ propound his Grace to souls when it is like to be welcome: these therefore are wont to go together, sense of utmost distress, and a discovery of the riches and readiness of Christ for succour; the first of these without the second breeds despair, the second without the first meets with scorn and contempt,
2. Hence also these encouragments are not nextly and immediately exhibited to sinners, till they come to this stare and sense: The Gospel is not properly preached to men till they are prepared for it by the Law: Christ therefore saith, that he did not come to call the righteous: i. e. men rich with the opinion of their own sanctity; but sinners, i. e. such as were sensible of sin. It is the hunger-bitten soul that longs for bread, the faint and thirsty that hearkens after springs of water. Christ propound his Grace to souls when it is like to be welcome: these therefore are wont to go together, sense of utmost distress, and a discovery of the riches and readiness of Christ for succour; the first of these without the second breeds dispair, the second without the first meets with scorn and contempt,
USE, 1. For Information;
1. That he that would have any encouragement to wait on God for grace, must seek it in ⟨p. 195⟩God alone and not in himself. The throughly awakened sinner must indeed look both on God and himself too; but he must see in himself nothing but ground of despair, and all his hope in God, Hos. 13. 9. This therefore dasheth their hopes, who would fain find in themselves that which may encourage them; and are therefore made to despond, by their unworthiness, the greatness of their sin, &c. this also may encourage those that see the worst in themselves, none like them for sin and misery; why God is the same.
1. That he that would have any encouragement to wait on God for grace, must seek it in ⟨p. 195⟩God alone and not in himself. The throughly awakened sinner must indeed look both on God and himself too; but he must see in himself nothing but ground of dispair, and all his hope in God, Hos. 13. 9. This therefore dasheth their hopes, who would fain find in themselves that which may encourage them; and are therefore made to despond, by their unworthiness, the greatness of their sin, &c. this also may encourage those that see the worst in themselves, none like them for sin and misery; why God is the same.
2. That they lay blocks in the way of their own conversion, that only sit poring upon their own misery, and look no further: What good would it have done the poor Prodigal, to have only sat, and wrung his hands, and cried, I perish, I perish? If he had looked no farther he had perished indeed. Though we must begin here, yet we must not end here, but look further for encouragement. The distressed man's enquiry is, where shall I have help? and so must yours, and now the spirit of grace is ready to direct you to one that is both able and full. therefore,
2. That they lay blocks in the way of their own conversion, that only sit poring upon their own misery, and look no further: What good would it have done the poor Prodigal, to have only sat, and wrung his hands, and cryed, I perish, I perish? If he had looked no farther he had perished indeed. Though we must begin here, yet we must not end here, but look further for encouragement. The distressed man's enquiry is, where shal I have help? and so must yours, and now the spirit of grace is ready to direct you to one that is both able and full. therefore,
USE, 2. Let it be for a word of encouragement to those that are at the point of death, who feel themselves miserable, but neither in themselves nor elsewhere can find deliverance, and are (possibly) ready to pass a sad sentence ⟨p. 196⟩upon themselves, that there is no hope for their souls. Thou hast seen an end of all created perfection, thou hast come to the bottom of thine own confidence; thou hast found an empty world, felt an empty soul; but didst thou never hear of God, or hast thou never tried him? If not, do not yet despair; first see what he can and will do for thee: you will say, I have tried many courses and they fail, and I am dis-heartened; well, but this is a way never yet frustrated thee, and let these Attributes put a little comforting hope into thy soul; consider then and believe.
USE, 2. Let it be for a word of encouragement to those that are at the point of death, who feel themselves miserable, but neither in themselves nor elsewhere can find deliverance, and are (possibly) ready to pass a sad sentence ⟨p. 196⟩upon themselves, that there is no hope for their souls. Thou hast seen an end of all created perfection, thou hast come to the bottom of thine own confidence; thou hast found an empty world, felt an empty soul; but didst thou never hear of God, or hast thou never tryed him? If not, do not yet despair; first see what he can and will do for thee: you will say, I have tryed many courses and they fail, and I am dis-heartened; well, but this is a way never yet frustrated thee, and let these Attributes put a little comforting hope into thy soul; consider then and believe.
1. That God is able to help thee: He hath all that, and more than all that which thou needest: He hath eternal life with him to give to all those that ask it of him; thou art starving, but he can feed thee, thou art perishing, but he can save thee: God loves to commend his power to us, that we may take hold of it, Isa. 27. 5. Let him lay hold of my strength, that he may make peace with him. Look upon him,
1. As he is God: That word is enough to tell thee he is able; God thinks it a word big enough to encourage his desponding, and almost despairing people, Isa. 45. 22. Look unto me, for I am God. The reason why thou canst find no help among the creatures, is because they are not God, Isa. 31. 3. The Egyptians are ⟨p. 197⟩men, and not God. And that you may know what he can do as God, look upon the work of Creation: when God would hearten his people to rely upon him, he calls up their consideration hither, Isa. 44. 24, 25. 12. 15. What cannot he who made a world out of nothing, do? Could God call for a world, and it answered his call, and can not he save a poor sinner from perishing? doubtless he can: what serve all the Divine Attributes for, but to display the greatness and immensity of the power of God?
2. As he is God in Christ: And there you shall see how he is not only absolutely able, but also suitably laid in with sufficient supply to save the perishing souls of prodigal sinners from perdition: Christ is a great Store-house, in whom is laid up all provision needful for the famishing posterity of fallen Adam: the great discouragement of a convinced sinner is, how can God do it and be just? Though there be a fountain of goodness in God, able to satisfy the soul that enjoys it, yet sin hath stopped up the channel, and Divine Justice interposeth, condemning the sinner to die: But now in Christ all these Channels are opened again; he hath satisfied Justice, and so broken open a new and and living way to God, and presented him sitting on a Throne of Grace; and thus God is able, notwithstanding his Justice, to open treasures ⟨p. 198⟩of many to sinners, and fill every hungry soul with good things. Divine sufficiency is by this means rendered communicable to the Children of men: And it is in this sense the Apostle speaks, Eph. 3. 20. He is able to do more than we can ask or think. Otherwise it had been a mockery put upon dying sinners, to have told them of abundant store of Grace and good, which it was no ways possible for them to come at. Now it is your work and business to apply this to your condition, and say, though I am perishing, yet there is a possibility that I may be supplied; though the world cannot relieve me, yet God can, and that not only by absolute power, but in a feasible way of his own finding out: I may then live and not die: And the very belief of this probability hath driven many a soul to him; and thou mayest, as well as the poor leper, frame a petition and argument out of it; If thou wilt, thou canst. Out of doubt it opens a door of hope, for a soul to know and believe, that if God will, he can both save him and be just.
2. As he is God in Christ: And there you shall see how he is not only absolutely able, but also sutably laid in with sufficient supply to save the perishing souls of prodigal sinners from perdition: Christ is a great Store-house, in whom is laid up all provision needful for the famishing posterity of fallen Adam: the great discouragement of a convinced sinner is, how can God do it and be just? Though there be a fountain of goodness in God, able to satisfie the soul that enjoyes it, yet sin hath stopt up the channel, and Divine Justice interposeth, condemning the sinner to dy: But now in Christ all these Channels are opened again; he hath satisfied Justice, and so broken open a new and and living way to God, and presented him sitting on a Throne of Grace; and thus God is able, notwithstanding his Justice, to open treasures
