An evident display of Popish practises, or patched Pelagianism Wherein is mightily cleared the…An euident display of Popish practises, or patched Pelagianisme Wherein is mightelie cleared the…

THE REFUTATION.

THE REFVTATION.

Because in the exposition of parables there is lest some place to conjectures, therefore frantic and curious wits, do new here in pride more liberally vaunt, than in parables. But I rather think, that the end of parables, is to be considered, and the several part to be so curiously examined, except it be so that the very interpretation stand upon the declaration of them, because else it can not be avoided, but we shall run into most ⟨p. 153⟩filthy imaginations. Further I grant, that the Lord in this similitude, doth represent unto us his clemency under the form of some most loving father, and also, that in the person of the prodigal son are sinners set out which for a while, have as it were withdrawn themselves from the sight of god, that they might delight themselves in sin, whom yet afterwards long tamed with just afflictions, and returning themselves to good life, the most loving father receiveth to grace. The other part of the parable I touch not, because it belongeth not to our purpose. Also let us see to how great purpose thou reasonest out of this place. Thou deniest that the son went a rioting with the fathers will. I grant the sons riot was not approved of the father, nor that the father did respect that, that he should riot, when he let him go. But thou indeed art a marvellous peremptory man, which in mind conceivest nothing else of God than that which is incident to man, because God in this similitude hath set out himself to us under the similitude of a mortal father. As if indeed God should therefore signify that he useth not to deal other ways in any matter with his, than men be wont, and doth not rather in this place set down to us this lone thing, that is his immeasurable goodness even towards them, who have provoked him to anger with many sins. When thou missedst these bonds, I say thou art far from the matter. But let us forgive thee his fault. If any advise to bring an insolent son, and whom by no means he can hold under, being let go from him, into some great danger, from the which yet he may deliver him so oft as he pleaseth, & casteth him out thither, because he knoweth no better way to recall him to amendment, who will think it to be absurd, if one say that the son run into that peril with his fathers will?