N00302:693
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.
Mercy Magnified ON A PENITENT Prodigal. › Sermon 19 › DOCT. True Repentance is practical Repentance.
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.
2. It plainly condemns such as have relinquished or abandoned their resolutions: they promised Repentance, & practise impenitence: how many in affliction have engaged to God, to leave off their vain courses, and no longer follow foolish things, they would arise and return to God, and if he would give opportunity they would make it appear; but after a little while they get the mastery over their convictions, still their Consciences lick their wounds whole; now are their resolutions buried, their promises forgotten, their old ways please them again, and so the Dog returns to his vomit. Let such consider,
2. It plainly condemns such as have relinquished or abandoned their resolutions: they promised Repentance, & practise impenitence: how many in affliction have engaged to God, to leave off their vain courses, and no longer follow foolish things, they would arise and return to God, and if he would give opportunity they would make it appear; but after a little while they get the mastery over their convictions, still their Consciences lick their wounds whole; now are their resolutions buried, their promises forgotten, their old wayes please them again, and so the Dog returns to his vomit. Let such consider,
1. God takes notice of, and keeps a record by him of all those purposes and promises and will one day call you to an account for them.
2. This is the way to be more hardened in Sin, and make your conversion the more hopeless; this is to quench the Spirit, and provoke him to strive no more.