Meditations the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
Sheweth, that when men forsake God, he gives them up to the height of sinning; from the same Clause, And there wasted his Substance with riotous living.
THERE is yet a third Doctrine from this last Clause of the Thirteenth Verse, viz. Doct. 3 That when men depart from God, and cast off his fear and counsel, then he gives them up to the height of sinning. When this younger Brother got from under his Father's eye into a far Countrey, there he lived in all excess of riot; he lived riotously. And what a life that is, 1 Pet. 4 3, 4.St. Peter tells us; a living in lasciviousness, lust, excess of wine, revellings, &c. This was the case of the Jews, when they hearkened not to the Lord's voice, Psal. 81.11, 12.and would have none of him, he then gave them up to their own hearts lust—
We see the case also exemplified in the Gentiles, when they regarded not God, Rom. 1.24, 26, 28.nor liked to retain him in their knowledge, he gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, and unto vile affections, and unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. As Ahab sold himself to work wickedness, 2 Kings 21. And others gave themselves over to lasciviousness, Eph. 4.19.to work all uncleanness with greediness, being led captive by the Devil at his will, 2 Tim. 2.2 Tim. 2.26.
And such men are within a few steps of the state of the Devils, because they sin wilfully and greedily: There is not only their will in their sinning, but wilfulness and obstinacy. Jer. 44.16, 17.As for the word thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee; but we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouths. It's true, that not only natural men, but such who have grace, do sin; but not such sins as these sin, nor any sins in such a manner. A godly man may sin a great and gross sin, Gal. 6.2.but he is tempted to it, and overtaken with it. It was Satan that provoked David to number the people, 1 Chro. 21.1. And Satan sifted Peter when he fell so foully.Luke 22.
And besides, they greatly afflict their souls for such sins: David watered his Couch with his tears, and writ many penitential Psalms; Mark 26.and Peter wept bitterly. I, but natural men, especially those who are given up to their own lusts by the just Judgment of God, they sin almost any sins with delight; Prov. 2.14.They rejoyce to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked, that will not endure any reproof; as many in these loose times rejoyce to make men, and see men drunk. And the Apostle in the first to the Romans, v. 29, 30, 31. speaking of the most dreadful sins committed by men, speaks of men that not only do them, but take pleasure in them that do them. Now the more will and affection there is for sin, the more sinful it is. It is more the manner, than matter of sin, that shews the state of the heart. Sin considered simply is not the brand of a reprobate; for none of the Elect are without sin in this life. 1 Joh. 2.8.It's willing and wilful sinning that denotes a wicked man. If the greatest sinner be upon the returning point to God, sin will not damn him; Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so iniquity shall not be your ruin.Ezek. 18.30.
Application.
1. This may be for a lamentation, that in our times there are so many desperate sinners that waste their Substance, not only their wealth, but their health, their parts and places, and all the Lord hath intrusted them with, they waste all in riotous living. Do we see great men great sinners? we have no need to envy their greatness, but to pity their great sinfulness and folly. Such practical Atheists St. Paul speaks of to Titus 2.16. They profess they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. And because they profess to know God, and Christ, and the Scriptures, their sin is the greater, as Christ said to the Jews.
2. This may much move you to admire and bless the Lord, whose will, and affections, and content, is taken off from all sin. It's as great a mercy, as that all your sins are forgiven you; for both are parts of the Covenant of grace. O look on it as mercy when God hedges up your way, Hos. 2.7.when you are going out of his.
Art thou fearful when thou sinnest? bless God for so much mercy. Doth thy heart smite thee when thou hast sinned? bless God that sense of sin is not taken from thee. Hath God took away pleasure from thy sinning? bless God thou art so far delivered from sin. How many sinners are past feeling, and given up to a reprobate mind in sinning?
Quest. But may not such a sinner be converted?
Answ. It is not impossible; the case is very dangerous, though not utterly desperate. Conversion hath been the happy lot of the worst of Heathens; and Publicans and Harlots were converted, Matth. 21.31.32.and believed. But when men pretend to know God, and to believe in Christ, and yet are greedy sinners, and sin without feeling, their case is more hopeless, and they are very near that heavy sentence, Rev. 22.11.He that is filthy, let him be filthy still. But when men come to feel a bitterness in sin, and their conscience cannot bear with it, there is now some hope. Thus much for the the thirteenth Verse.