N00302:583
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.
SERMON XVII.
2. WE have heard of the Prodigals confession, now follows his petition: Make me as one of thy hired servants. True humility (as was hinted before) hath two things in it, viz. 1. A low esteem of one-self: 2. A yielding one-self to God's dispose, this latter is here presented to us. The world is much altered with this younger son; time was when the place and condition of a son in the family would not content him, but he must have his Portion and take his liberty; but now he would be glad so he might but fare as a servant in his Father's house. God, in the work of Conversion will hide pride from man, and make him very low. There is naturally a self-sovereignty in every Child of Adam; though beggars, they would yet be choosers; and if they may not have their will, they will rise up in rebellion: This God breaks him off from, whom he takes to himself. Make me, &c. i. e. handle ⟨p. 248⟩me, treat me: as one of thy hired servants: hired servants are, 1. Members of the family. 2. The meanest sort of members, except slaves. It intends two things. 1. The son desires admission into his fathers family, under his favour and care. 2. Submits to be disposed of as he sees meet, and will not repine, but account it a favour. Hence,
2. WE have heard of the Prodigals confession, now follows his petition: Make me as one of thy hyred servants. True humility (as was hinted before) hath two things in it, viz. 1. A low esteem of one-self: 2. A yielding one-self to God's dispose, this latter is here presented to us. The world is much altered with this younger son; time was when the place and condition of a son in the family would not content him, but he must have his Portion and take his liberty; but now he would be glad so he might but fare as a servant in his Father's house. God, in the work of Conversion will hide pride from man, and make him very low. There is naturally a self-soveraignty in every Child of Adam; though beggars, they would yet be chusers; and if they may not have their will, they will rise up in rebellion: This God breaks him off from, whom he takes to himself. Make me, &c. i. e. handle