The parable of the prodigal. Containing, The riotous prodigal, or The sinners aversion from…

That Conversion brings the Soul into a joyful, a very joyful condition; [They began to be merry] Mirth is the accent of joy, ¹it is an emphatical joy; but when did they begin to be merry? why! as soon as it was said, This my Son is alive, and this my Son is found; now they begin to be merry. Conversion may ⟨p. 333⟩be considered three ways. 1. Antecedenter: For the precious qualities and works, which immediately go before, and ordinarily usher in Conversion; so it is sad, and bitter, and sharp; for there the law imprints a sense of sin, and of wrath, and a spirit of bondage to fear; the Needle pricks, and the Sword cuts and wounds, and the Hammer bruiseth, and the Plough rents and tears. 2. Formaliter: as it is a perfective change, and alteration, even from hell to heaven, from basest lusts, to sweetest holiness; and thus it is (at the least) a fundamental, radical, and virtual joy. 3. Consequenter: For the Crop and present harvest, which results out of Conversion; thus it is the Music after the tuning of the strings; the fruit of righteousness is peace, so the fruit of conversion is joy and delight. There are three things unto which I desire to speak about this point. 1. That upon Conversion, the condition becomes very joyful and pleasant; quod sit. 2. What kind of joy and pleasure Conversion doth bring; quale sit. 3. Reasons why so; cur sit: and then the useful Application.

That Conversion brings the Soul into a joyful, a very joyful condition; [They began to be merry] Mirth is the accent of joy, ¹it is an emphatical joy; but when did they begin to be merry? why! as soon as it was said, This my Son is alive, and this my Son is found; now they begin to be merry. Conversion may ⟨p. 333⟩be considered three wayes. 1. Antecedenter: For the precious qualities and works, which immediately go before, and ordinarily usher in Conversion; so it is sad, and bitter, and sharp; for there the law imprints a sense of sin, and of wrath, and a spirit of bondage to fear; the Needle pricks, and the Sword cuts and wounds, and the Hammer bruiseth, and the Plough rents and tears. 2. Formaliter: as it is a perfective change, and alteration, even from hell to heaven, from basest lusts, to sweetest holiness; and thus it is (at the least) a fundamental, radical, and virtual joy. 3. Consequenter: For the Crop and present harvest, which results out of Conversion; thus it is the Musick after the tuning of the strings; the fruit of righteousness is peace, so the fruit of conversion is joy and delight. There are three things unto which I desire to speak about this point. 1. That upon Conversion, the condition becomes very joyful and pleasant; quod sit. 2. What kind of joy and pleasure Conversion doth bring; quale sit. 3. Reasons why so; cur sit: and then the useful Application.