The next thing to be considered is the Provision which the Father made for, and the entertainment which he gave to his returned Son, described in these Verses. I shall briefly insist on these things. Here we may observe an Allegorical description of the great benefits which God bestows upon a sinner on believing, or the wonderful change of his condition on Conversion. Whiles the Son is ⟨p. 332⟩complaining of his unworthiness, and accusing his own prodigality, his father, not so much by words, but by real acts gives him to find what favour he is received into. In the words observe, 1. The things that were done for him, vers. 22, 23. in which are, 1. The instruments used in doing them; his servants. 2. What they were to do; bring forth, &c. What these things allude to will be considered of in their place. 3. To what end; let us eat, and be merry. 2. The reason given to it, vers. 24. for this my son, &c. 3. The fruit consequent upon it. vers. 24. and they began to be merry. Christ under the welcome given by a tender father to his returning son, would shadow to us the welcome that a penitent finds with God, expressed with the greatest signs and tokens of a perfect reconciliation, and deepest affection, not only of love, but of joy too at his return: hence the servants are set to work; the best robe is brought forth to cover his nakedness, the fatted Calf killed, not only to feed, but feast him; a Ring is put on his hand, Shoes on his feet, and the whole house is filled with songs and mirth, and the very fields made to ring with acclamations of joy. In general observe this.
THe next thing to be considered is the Provision which the Father made for, and the entertainment which he gave to his returned Son, described in these Verses. I shall briefly insist on these things. Here we may observe an Allegorical description of the great benefits which God bestows upon a sinner on believing, or the wonderful change of his condition on Conversion. Whiles the Son is ⟨p. 332⟩complaining of his unworthiness, and accusing his own prodigality, his father, not so much by words, but by real acts gives him to find what favour he is received into. In the words observe, 1. The things that were done for him, vers. 22, 23. in which are, 1. The instruments used in doing them; his servants. 2. What they were to do; bring forth, &c. What these things allude to will be considered of in their place. 3. To what end; let us eat, and be merry. 2. The reason given to it, vers. 24. for this my son, &c. 3. The fruit consequent upon it. vers. 24. and they began to be merry. Christ under the welcome given by a tender father to his returning son, would shadow to us the welcome that a penitent finds with God, expressed with the greatest signs and tokens of a perfect reconciliation, and deepe•t affection, not only of love, but of joy too at his return: hence the servants are set to work; the best robe is brought forth tocover his nakedness, the fatted Calf killed, not only to feed, but feast him; a Ring is put on his hand, Shoes on his feet, and the whole house is filled with songs and mirth, and the very fields made to ring with acclamations of joy. In general observe this.
