The Introduction you have in ver: 11: in which we have the persons and relations used in the Parable intimated, viz: A Father and his two Sons: Interpreters variously assign the intent or meaning of these persons: That God ⟨p. 7⟩himself is here represented under the title of a Father, is without any just reason of being doubted; for although spiritual Adoption is not here aimed at, (nor, possibly, is there any respect had to the visible and external relation of men to the visible Church, which is a sort of outward Adoption, Rom. 9.4.) yet herein our Saviour intends to express the carriage of God towards men, by that of a Father to his Children: and it is certain that God is in the Scripture, with respect to his Creation and Providence, called the Father of all Flesh. Some by the two Sons understand the Jews the Elder, and the Gentiles the Younger: but I rather close with their judgment, who refer the Parable to the present case and question: Doubtless Christs design here is to lay matter of conviction before these Jews, and to vindicate himself from their injurious aspersions, of having undue commerce with Publicans and Sinners. By the Elder Son then is intended these Scribes and Pharisees, those strict Orders of the Jews, that made a show of zeal and rigid austerity in legal performances, and so counted themselves the deserving Heirs and Inheritors of the promises: and by the younger is intended Publicans and Sinners, who seemed to be excluded from a right to this Inheritance, men that were self-condemned, and could pretend to no such hopes. It is not my ⟨p. 8⟩purpose or business to insist on these things only let us by the way observe, That there is many a Man calls God Father, who is yet either a profane sinner, or at least an hypocritical Professor. The challenging of such a Relation, so built, will stand men in little stead. If we will call God Father profitably, let us carry our selves as becomes his Children: let not men boast of then Privileges, and for that count themselves Elder Brethren, knowing that there may come those from the East and West, the North and South, that shall sit down with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob in the Kingdom of God, when the Children of the Kingdom are shut out: and on the other hand, it may encourage convicted sensible sinners, to come humbly to God, and to wait upon him in hope;
The Introduction you have in ver: 11: in which we have the persons and relations used in the Parable intimated, viz: A Father and his two Sons: Interpreters variously assign the intent or meaning of these persons: That God ⟨p. 7⟩himself is here represented under the title of a Father, is without any just reason of being doubted; for although spiritual Adoption is not here aimed at, (nor, possibly, is there any respect had to the visible and external relation of men to the visible Church, which is a sort of outward Adoption, Rom. 9.4.) yet herein our Saviour intends to express the carriage of God towards men, by that of a Father to his Children: and it is certain that God is in the Scripture, with respect to his Creation and Providence, called the Father of all Flesh. Some by the two Sons understand the Jews the Elder, and the Gentiles the Younger: but I rather close with their judgment, who refer the Parable to the present case and question: Doubtless Christs design here is to lay matter of conviction before these Jews, and to vindicate himself from their injurious aspersions, of having undue commerce with Publicans and Sinners. By the Elder Son then is intended these Scribes and Pharisees, those strict Orders of the Jews, that made a shew of zeal and rigid austerity in legal performances, and so counted themselves the deserving Heirs and Inheritors of the promises: and by the younger is intended Publicans and Sinners, who seemed to be excluded from a right to this Inheritance, men that were self-condemned, and could pretend to no such hopes. It is not my ⟨p. 8⟩purpose or business to insist on these things only let us by the way observe, That there is many a Man calls God Father, who is yet either a prophane sinner, or at least an hypocritical Professor. The challenging of such a Relation, so built, will stand men in little stead. If we will call God Father profitably, let us carry our selves as becomes his Children: let not men boast of then Priviledges, and for that count themselves Elder Brethren, knowing that there may come those from the East and West, the North and South, that shall sit down with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob in the Kingdom of God, when the Children of the Kingdom are shut out: and on the other hand, it may encourage convicted sensible sinners, to come humbly to God, and to wait upon him in hope;
