N00302:799
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.
God's pardoning and accepting Grace, sensibly apprehended, will make a soul more to loth his sins, accuse himself of them, and be ashamed at them. Though whiles God is kindling these resolves, he comes in with them and brings his Salvation, yet this shall not extinguish those resolutions, but help them. This is the season to express and act, Godly sorrow, humiliation and repentance. We have David in this for an excellent example; whom when ⟨image ?⟩[…] ⟨p. 337⟩none but free Citizens were to wear rings: others, for his ennoblement, among the Oriental nations, none but the Nobility had this privilege: others for the seal of the spirit: The Wedding Ring was given as a ratification of Marriage; so now the union between Christ and the soul is sealed and confirmed.
God's pardoning and accepting Grace, sensibly apprehended, will make a soul more to loth his sins, accuse himself of them, and be ashamed at them. Though whiles God is kindling these resolves, he comes in with them and brings his Salvation, yet this shall not extinguish those resolutions, but help them. This is the season to express and act, Godly sorrow, humiliation and repentance. We have David in this for an excellent example; whom when ⟨image ?⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 337⟩none but free Citizens were to wear rings: others, for his ennoblement, among the Oriental nations, none but the Nobility had this priviledge: others for the seal of the spirit: The Wedding Ring was given as a ratification of Marriage; so now the union between Christ and the soul is sealed and confirmed.
3. Shoes are put upon his feet: The feet are the affections, shoes are both for Ornament, and for saying the feet from harm: These shoes are the preparation of the Gospel, of peace, Eph. 6. 15. The soul is adorned with sanctifying grace, and the affections preserved from being gravelled, and galled with the pebbles of carnal desires.
4. The fatted Calf is killed [Gr. the fatted Calf, sacrifice it] This intends Christ, and may bear some respect to the Sacrament of the Supper: the soul is now spiritually fit for it, and to be invited to it. In sum, the best preparation is made, the soul is feasted: i. e. Divine love is shed abroad, Rom. 5. 5. God gives him all his favours in titles and communicates of them to him, according to that measure which is best for him; and so much (at least) of Divine light is irradiated upon him, as enables him to rely upon Christ alone for life, and hope in his Grace. This must needs be a joyful day; for,
4. The fatted Calf is killed [Gr. the fatted Calf, sacrifice it] This intends Christ, and may bear some respect to the Sacrament of the Supper: the soul is now spiritually fit for it, and to be invited to it. In summe, the best preparation is made, the soul is feasted: i. e. Divine love is shed abroad, Rom. 5. 5. God gives him all his favours in titles and communicates of them to him, according to that measure which is best for him; and so much (at least) of Divine light is irradiated upon him, as enables him to rely upon Christ alone for life, and hope in his Grace. This must needs be a joyful day; for,
1. It is the day of Jubilee, which was always ⟨p. 338⟩joyful: Now the servant of sin goes out free; he that had before bound himself to a stranger, to Satan and his lusts, is set at liberty.
1. It is the day of Jubile, which was alwayes ⟨p. 338⟩joyful: Now the servant of sin goes out free; he that had before bound himself to a stranger, to Satan and his lusts, is set at liberty.
2. It is his Wedding day: which is always celebrated with symptoms of joy; more especially, when a Beggar is married to a Prince; when a condemned prisoner of Justice is honourably espoused, to the eternal Son of God.
2. It is his Wedding day: which is alwayes celebrated with symptomes of joy; more especially, when a Beggar is married to a Prince; when a condemned prisoner of Justice is honourably espoused, to the eternal Son of God.
3. It is his Birth day; the day wherein he was new born: his Resurrection day in which he riseth out of his grave, vers. 24. He was dead and is now alive. And that is a blessed day, Rev. 20. 6. Blessed is he that hath part in the first Resurrection.
4. It is the day of his Adoption; the day wherein the King of Glory entitles him his son, gives him a new Name, and seals up to him an irreversible deed of conveyance, wherein he confirms him in title to an inheritance worth many Worlds.
USE, 1: For Information.
1. Here we see how sincerely God speaketh, when he saith, As I live I delight not in the death of a sinner, but had rather he should repent and live. The satisfaction which he expresseth himself to take in a sinners conversion, is an abundant confirmation of it. If after God hath said and sworn it in his Word, there ⟨p. 339⟩should any make a doubt of it; let him go to the converted sinner, and he shall tell him such a story of God's abundant love, and that precious entertainment that he gave him, as shall make it evidently appear. If God did not take great delight in our Conversion, can we think that he would make such a royal feast to entertain us, & confer so many & such unspeakable benefits and blessings upon us? Do men use to kill and slay, to make noble feasts for the entertainment of those whom they have no delight to see?
2. Here we see a reason why the affections of the soul do often appear more ardent and overflowing towards God, about, or quickly after Conversion, than afterwards, and discover themselves, both,
1. In an extraordinary delight in spiritual duties: The soul now can scarce find opportunity to do any thing else, but read, hear pray, meditate, confer with Christians, &c. Why is it their Wedding day, it is a feast day with them, and they cannot but be ravished with it: It is a new world with a Prodigal, when come from a famine to such plenty and delicacy.
2. In a contempt of the world and things of it in comparison of these things; slighting and scarce regarding of any thing here below; only taken with heavenly things, and desirous ⟨p. 340⟩to depart and be with Christ; willing to have […] •ore to do here if might be: How can it almost be otherwise? Who can but think it good seeing, tasting, enjoying the love of God? and relishing the sweetness of the streams, to long to be at the Well head of all this? but when these treats are something over, and he go from his feast to his work, and there mee•• with difficulties, and many temptations; now he is sometimes at a ••and, his affections cooled with carnal things, and his heart distracted with worldly cares: Hence it is that we sometimes hear God calling his people back to their first love, Rev. 2. 5.
2. In a cotempt of the world and things of it in comparison of these things; slighting and scarce regarding of any thing here below; only taken with heavenly things, and desirous ⟨p. 340⟩to depart and be with Christ; willing to have 〈…〉 •ore to do here if might be: How can it almost be otherwise? Who can but think it good seeing, tasting, enjoying the love of God? and relishing the sweetness of the streams, to long to be at the Well head of all this? but when these treats are something over, and he goe from his feast to his work, and there mee•• with difficulties, and many temptations; now he is sometimes at a ••and, his affections cooled with carnal things, and his heart distracted with worldly cares: Hence it is that we sometimes hear God calling his people back to their first love, Rev. 2. 5.
3. Here also see a Reason why Believers have usually more ravishments and ecstasies, and abounding comforts at first Conversion, than afterwards: It is because the robe is now brought out to them and put on, &c. It is the most glorious entertainment they were ever at, and they themselves the occasion of it; as long as this feast lasts it must needs be so: therefore,
3. Here also see a Reason why Believers have usually more ravishments and extasies, and abounding comforts at first Conversion, than afterwards: It is because the robe is now brought out to them and put on, &c. It is the most glorious entertainment they were ever at, and they themselves the occasion of it; as long as this feast lasts it must needs be so: therefore,
1. Be sure if it be thus at this time, lay in against a time of want: that may come before you think of it. Store your selves now with the experiences of the love expressions which God reveals himself to you in: It is not impossible but it may be such a time with you, as you shall never have the like opportunity while you live again
