N00302:721
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.
5. Though Gods ordinary method be, first to prepare the Soul for Faith, before he infuseth it, yet, not only the preparation is ⟨p. 291⟩of Grace, but the soul thus prepared, is, before believing, a great way off from God, he is still in a state of nature, hath nothing in him that can challenge this Grace; but if God bestow it upon him, it is his mere favour: there are many who have a common work, and it proceeds no farther: they have had many awakenings, shakings, terrors; taken up many resolutions, made many promises; and yet never past from death to life, but have either staid here, or gone back again: nay, God is here Sovereign, the Sinner is dead still, and hath not a promise that God will give him life: God when he passeth by, may either look upon him, and say to him Live; or he may pass away.
5. Though Gods ordinary method be, first to prepare the Soul for Faith, before he infuseth it, yet, not only the preparation is ⟨p. 291⟩of Grace, but the soul thus prepared, is, before believing, a great way off from God, he is still in a state of nature, hath nothing in him that can challenge this Grace; but if God bestow it upon him, it is his meer favour: there are many who have a common work, and it proceeds no farther: they have had many awakenings, shakings, terrors; taken up many resolutions, made many promises; and yet never past from death to life, but have either staid here, or gone back again: nay, God is here Soveraign, the Sinner is dead still, and hath not a promise that God will give him life: God when he passeth by, may either look upon him, and say to him Lvie; or he may pass away.
USE 1. For Information:
1. Of the absoluteness of the Grace of God: it must needs be every way wholly free: the first cause hath no dependence upon any other, or any other but a voluntary obligation to them: hence they undertake a vain task, that will give any reason of mans Conversion beyond Gods will; or why these and not those are converted and saved: if there were any to sway that, it were not the leading cause.
2. Of the infallibility of the conversion and salvation of Gods Elect; because it flows from Grace as that highest cause of it. If it did firstly depend upon any thing in us, our mutability ⟨p. 292⟩would expose it to hazard, and thence it would be dubious, and always questionable: but if Grace lead, all is certain; for who or what can be able to frustrate Grace, or disappoint it in all that it hath designed for our Salvation? of Grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed, Rom.4.16.
2. Of the infallibility of the conversion and salvation of Gods Elect; because it flows from Grace as that highest cause of it. If it did firstly depend upon any thing in us, our mutability ⟨p. 292⟩would expose it to hazard, and thence it would be dubious, and alwayes questionable: but if Grace lead, all is certain; for who or what can be able to frustrate Grace, or disappoint it in all that it hath designed for our Salvation? of Grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed, Rom.4.16.
3. The reason why the means convert at one time, and not at another; and one man and not another. Many a powerful Sermon, awakening Providence, &c. pass, and the man still goeth on frowardly in his ways, but at last, that which seems to be in it self of less efficacy, awakens, melts, humbleth, healeth the Soul: but this is when Grace begins to work, and that, only that, is irresistible, man's sinful heart is too hard for every thing else; and this is done when and where God pleaseth, John 3. 8.
3. The reason why the means convert at one time, and not at another; and one man and not another. Many a powerful Sermon, awakening Providence, &c. pass, and the man still goeth on frowardly in his wayes, but at last, that which seems to be in it self of less efficacy, awakens, melts, humbleth, healeth the Soul: but this is when Grace begins to work, and that, only that, is irresistible, man's sinful heart is too hard for every thing else; and this is done when and where God pleaseth, John 3. 8.
4. That no man can lay any engagement upon God to do him any good. No man can be too soon for him: we cannot stir till he moves us; we can do nothing for him, till he first doth for us, and in us: and hence those whom God passeth by, and leaves in their sin, have no just ground of complaint, which if they could do any thing first to oblige God, they might have a show for.
4. That no man can lay any engagement upon God to do him any good. No man can be too soon for him: we cannot stir till he moves us; we can do nothing for him, till he first doth for us, and in us: and hence those whom God passeth by, and leaves in their sin, have no just ground of complaint, which if they could do any thing first to oblige God, they might have a shew for.
USE 2. For Exhortation:
1. To the unconverted; be hence advised,
1. Not to think to earn Grace and Glory by your own endeavours, or to do that of your selves which may bring you under the Covenant promise of life; this will never be: were there no more in the Gospel, but only that counsel, believe and be saved, the grace of the Gospel would do us no good: but when God speaks of making us to believe, of working the will and deed, that is the life of Gospel Grace: Christ bids us to come, but if he come not first, he would keep his Salvation to himself.
2. Not to put away the grace of God from you till you have made your selves fit for it. Many say, what have I to do to ask Grace, who am so vile and cannot come to God? I answer, none hath more need of it than such an one: and therefore do not say, I will wait till I have fitted my self; but wait on God for his preventing grace, to fit and prepare, and turn you unto him: say not, if I could get up yonder to him, it would be well, but wait for him to come to your pit.
3. Not to rest in means and endeavours, as if they were able to do for you what you need; but look up to Grace to help you to attend upon the means, and bless that attendance for your Spiritual good. Promise not to your selves any thing from Ordinances themselves, but only so far as he shall breath in them: ⟨p. 294⟩Wait therefore for the north and south wind to blow.
4. Be willing to wait the leisure of free grace. If that lead, it must not be limited, but suffered to take its own time; only it is our duty to be waiting in the use of all means, not growing weary, fainting or repining.
4. Be willing to wait the leisure of freegrace. If that lead, it must not be limited, but suffered to take its own time; only it is our duty to be waiting in the use of all means, not growing weary, fainting or repining.
2. To the converted, learn you also from hence,
1. Not to be proud of your grace, or think highly of your selves above others: He hath but a shadow of grace, and not that which is true, who is apt to say, I am not as this Publican. It is certain, where grace is most eminent, there the creature is least in his own eyes, not arrogating or ascribing any thing to it self. That Grace is the most insuspectible and renders us most unworthy in our own esteem.
2. Would you be serviceable in your generation to the glory of God, be directed to go to him in all you have to do, for his grace, that by it alone you may undertake. Paul will engage in any thing, so Christ shall stand engaged to strengthen him. It may teach us to begin every work with prayer, which we desire to have succeed; for if God be not in it, leading and strengthening, it will certainly fail: Not all other advantages of helps and means will be otherwise then abortive, if grace give them ⟨p. 295⟩not their efficacy. If you set about any thing without engaging God in it, the very spring, and rise, and strength of all is wanting.
3. If you find the work of Conversion wrought in your selves, or see it wrought in others, be sure to ascribe it to the grace of God as the leading cause. No flesh hath any cause to glory, but all the glory is his due: you have used means, attended on ordinances, been constant in duties, & now you find grace coming in upon these, Faith to believe in Christ, and rely upon him, an heart subdued to obedience; say not now that this is your own work; you saw not how it came in, but by this effect you are led up to the cause, and must say the finger of God was in it: Others have done the like for the matter of it, and never the near. You see that your labours with your Children or your servants are blessed, your reproofs and counsels take effect; think not now that you have done the work, or deserve the praise of it; but consider it: God's blessing upon your labours which hath done all: others have been as careful, and yet can see no fruit, God so dispenseth himself to the Children of men, as to take away all boasting, and when we look upon all our gains & attainments we must conclude with Paul, it is by the grace of God we are what we are. ⟨p. 296⟩Had not he come home to us, we had never gone forth to him; had not he been gracious to us, we had died in our sins. Have you seen your sin and misery? he opened your blind eyes; have you arose and gone to him? he saw you first, and being moved with compassion came to you, and took you up in his arms. Study therefore to live to the praise of his Grace; and still wait upon him for the continuance of it; for the completing of your Salvation, and bringing of you to glory, knowing that he who hath begun a good work in you, must also perfect it to the day of the Lord, if ever it be done; and except he leads, you can never follow.
3. If you find the work of Conversion wrought in your selves, or see it wrought in others, be sure to ascribe it to the grace of God as the leading cause. No flesh hath any cause to glory, but all the glory is his due: you have used means, attended on ordinances, been constant in duties, & now you find grace coming in upon these, Faith to believe in Christ, and rely upon him, an heart subdued to obedience; say not now that this is your own work; you saw not how it came in, but by this effect you are led up to the cause, and must say the finger of God was in it: Others have done the like for the matter of it, and never the near. You see that your labours with your Children or your servants are blessed, your reproofs and counsels take effect; think not now that you have done the work, or deserve the praise of it; but consider it: God's blessing upon your labours which havh done all: others have been as careful, and yet can see no fruit, God so dispenseth himself to the Children of men, as to take away all boasting, and when we look upon all our gains & attainments we must conclude with Paul, it is by the grace of God we are what we are.
