Ch. z 5. The Parableof St. Luke. the Prodigal Son. Cli. r ï. God fpeakcth of himfelf, as rejoycing in 29. Note, We be apt to over-value our a finner's converfion. Haw little caufe then own fervice of God; and to under-value his have fuck to doubt, whether God will receive Mercy. them ? How is God called a Father to wicked Prodigals ? ,A4: As his Nature is . 30. But as loon as this thy fon , Love it fdf, and as he made Man's Nature was come, which bath devoured capable ofhappinefs, and as he bath conditi- thy living with harlots, thou haft orally pardoned all through Chrift. killed for him the fatted calf. 25. Now his elder fon was in the to. Note, r. Even- good Men are apt to field : and as he came and drew grudge at God'sMercy to hnnera, and would nigh to the Houfe, he heard mulick not have him fo gracious to them as he is; and dancing: 26. And he called and they are, not fò ready to forgive it, but upbraid others with fin, which God dots net one of the fervants, and asked what upbraid them with, who hateth it more than thefe things meant. 27. And he we can do. z. Were we in the hands of faid unto him, Thy brother is come our belt Brethren, we Ihould (peed worfethan and thy father hath killed the fatted in God's hands. calf, becaufe he loath received him 3r. And he faid unto him, Son, fafe and found. thou art ever with me, and all that 2s, 26, 27. Thy Father hath received him I have is thine with joy. 3t. Note, r. Obedient Children are al- 28. And he was angry and would ways with God, and in hisfavour. 2. What great happinefs it figrifie to fay, All not go, in : therefore came his fa- that I h B ave is thine ? that is, all that thou ther out, and intreated him. art fir for, and that is fit for thee. 3. God. 28. He envied his Brother's Entertainment, gweth fuddener Joy oft-times' to returning and was offended with his Father's Love and Prodigals, than to his Children that have been Mercy. true to him from their Youth. 4. Yet the Nate, t. The elderBrother is the Jew, (who conftant fafety, happinefs, and peaceof thofe C-th the Godilles, long obedient Children, is a greater bleffing not only in his unbeliefde(jai but) when converted to. Chrift, is hardly and good, than thofe fùdden Joys of con- brought to communion with the Gentiles. vetting linnets. And allo all that have from their childhood 32, It was meet that we íh0uld ferbed God, and are ready to grudge at the make merry, and be glad : for .this Entertainment of wicked Men converted. thy we need God's Mercy our felves, a difpofition live again ; and was loft, and is to envy his Grace to others. Nte, 3. God found. is put to bear with the Faults of his Children, 32. Note, God is pleafed to reafon his fro= and in Mercy to ftoop to them in their Envy ward Children out le their envious, fdf- and a with their Note, 4 efteeming, cenforious, féparating, quarrelfome There is Ireful eluten of their own good- Diftempers, and not to let them, o nets, that inclineth God's own Servants g and even to withdraw, and fiparate prom his take them at the won't. He that will pat- Houle, hecaufè he entetxaineth returning don the wicked Life of a penitent Prodigal, Prodigals. Thus. God is put to bear wich will not riguroufly defpife a froward wrang- all. ling Child. And Rulers and Paftors, that learn of God, will do fo too, and not as Sa- 29 And he anfwering, laid to tan's Minifters, abhor the faithful, and aggra- vate their Infirmities, and caft them out of the his father, Lo, theft many years im ref- Church, while they connive at the ungodly, do I ferve thee, neither tr g and encourage-them. fed I at any time thy commtnand- This P.rrable is very inftruf ive to bad and ment, and yet thou never gaveft good, and very, confortable to the truly peni me a kid, that'd might make merry tent and converted : And fpeaketh God'sMer- witli my friends: cy to the Gentiles, againft the froward, felf- efteeming Chriftian -Jews. CHAP
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