N00302:83
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.
Reas. 2. From the mistaken opinion which he hath taken up of liberty. Liberty is, if truly known, a most desirable good, and a great part of a Believers happiness, but the heart of ⟨p. 28⟩sinful man hath foolishly put that glorious title upon the worst of licentiousness, and hereupon he accounts himself to be under intolerable restraint, so long as he may not take his swing in the world: and hence he esteems the law to be no better than a prison, which is indeed a perfect law of liberty.
Reas. 2. From the mistaken opinion which he hath taken up of liberty. Liberty is, if truly known, a most desireable good, and a great part of a Believers happiness, but the heart of ⟨p. 28⟩sinful man hath foolishly put that glorious title upon the worst of licentiousness, and hereupon he accounts himself to be under intolerable restraint, so long as he may not take his swindge in the world: and hence he esteems the law to be no better than a prison, which is indeed a perfect law of liberty.
Reason. 3. For Mans fond apprehension of of his own wisdom, Job 11. 12. Vain man would be wise. Every natural man is fondly opinionated of his own discretion, though he is indeed a mere fool and Child, yet he thinks he knows better than his Lord and Master: Gods Laws are not suited with mens carnal principles; they apprehend they see a great deal of weakness in them, and needless hazards in obeying of them; they are impolitic, and they can prescribe to themselves a better way to attain their ends than that which God hath laid out.
Reason. 3. For Mans fond apprehension of of his own wisdom, Job 11. 12. Vain man would be wise. Every natural man is fondly opinionated of his own discretion, though he is indeed a meer fool and Child, yet he thinks he knows better than his Lord and Master: Gods Laws are not suted with mens carnal principles; they apprehend they see a great deal of weakness in them, and needless hazards in obeying of them; they are impolitick, and they can prescribe to themselves a better way to attain their ends than that which God hath laid out.