Mercy magnified on a penitent prodigal, or A brief discourse, wherein Christs parable of…

2. That we must not strain the circumstances of Parables beyond the purpose or intent of the similitude, but rest in the main scope of them: for, because they are Similitudes, that which we have to mind is the thing which they are improved to shadow out unto us. The neglect of this Rule runs men into many errors: we must carry this […] a certain truth. That such things as are condemned by plain Scripture prohibitions, are in vain sought to be justified by Parables.

2. That we must not strain the circumstances of Parables beyond the purpose or intent of the similitude, but rest in the main scope of them: for, because they are Similitudes, that which we have to mind is the thing which they are improved to shadow out unto us. The neglect of this Rule runs men into many errors: we must carry this 〈…〉 a certain truth. That such things as are condemned by plain Scripture prohibitions, are in vain sought to be justified by Parables.

But to come to the Parable it self: Let it not be thought vain or needless that Christ useth so many Words, and divers Parables to insinuate the truth of Gods free Grace; but let it inform us of our stupidity & Christs rich condescendency to us, so as to take so great pains to instruct us in the matters of our Souls welfare.

The main scope of this Parable is to set forth the rich Grace of God […] miserable self-undone sinners, and the great pleasure which he takes in their Conversion: it therefore presents us with the pattern of a grievous sinner; and discovers to us, both what he is before ⟨p. 6⟩Conversion, and how he is converted, and what welcome he finds with God upon his return unto him: this is that which is principally intended, unto which there is added a discovery of the malice of carnal Professors against sincere Converts: all of which is shadowed out to us, under the comparison of a Father and his two Sons, and the carriage of each of them. This Parable, amongst Ecclesiastical Writers, bears the title of the Prodigal, because such an one is the primary, and principally intended Subject of the Discourse. The Parable may be divided into four principal parts, besides the introduction to them, in ver. 11. viz. 1. The Prodigals goings away from his Father, with the consequences of it, ver. 12, to 17. 2. His return to his Father, with the motive and manner of it, ver. 17, to 20: 3. The entertainment which he finds with his Father at his returning, ver: 20, to 25: 4. The carriage and deportment of his Elder Brother, with the circumstances depending, ver: 25 to the end: I shall endeavour (as God shall assist) to speak to each of these severally and in order.