N00302:830
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.
DOCT. 2. God testifieth his love to a penitent sinner, not so much in words as in deeds.
We do not here observe that the Father is mentioned to say any thing, to his humble son; weeping out his confessions to him in his arms; but he calls for his servants, and commands them presently to do for him, that which shall ⟨p. 348⟩be a real testimony of his entire love: What is done for him shall speak his affection better than ten thousand complemental professions.
USE, This may show us the difference between God and men: Those make many proffers and protestations; say be fed, be clothed; but mean while the needy creature may perish for all them: But now God seeing a miserable soul in distress, he takes it up into his arms, gives him what he wants, cloths his nakedness, feeds his hunger, takes away his […] It may also direct us in clearing up our evidences; you are ready to say, could I but hear or understand him to speak to me in this or that promise, it would greatly satisfy my doubts; but I reply, is there not a convincing language in deeds? and do you find that to be wrought in you which the promise speaks of? is there suitable spiritual supply brought into your souls? Do you find that there which answers your wants? and shall not this satisfy and certify you of your fathers love, and your interest in the Promise: Nay, you may safely thus argue the case, could he do this for me if he loved me not? Am I not dealt with as a son, and shall I any longer doubt of my sonship.