The True Convert, Analysis
The Logicall Analyſis of the Parable of the Prodigall, Luke 15.11.
In the Parable of the Prodigall are obſerueable.
1. An Introduction, wherein we hauehave
1. The propounder. He ſaid.
2. The perſons propounded, viz.
A certaine man. verſe 11.
Had two ſonnes. verſe 11.
2. A Narration, wherein we hauehave the Prodigall his
Egreſſe from verſe 12. to the 17. wherein we hauehave
1. His ſin, verſ. 12, 13. & that either.
Before hee had receiued his portion, ve. 1, 2. viz.
His greedineſſe of it.
His impudency in requiring it.
Or after he had receiued it, verſe 13. in
Forſaking his Fathers houſe, wherein obſerue the circumſtances,
Firſt, Of Time, and that was
1. After he had receiued it.
2. Not long after.
Secondly, Of the place whether he went, viz Into a farre Countrey.
Waſting of his goods wherein obſerue
Firſt, His Fact, what he did. He waſted.
Secondly, The manner how he did it: With riotous liuing.
2. The puniſhment thereof
Common vponupon the whole Countrey with him, verſe 14.
Perſonall on himſelfe, wherein
Firſt, His diſtreſſe: and that is layd downe
Briefly, verſe 14.
More largely, verſe 16.
Secondly, His ſhift in this his diſtreſſe, verſe 15.
Regreſſe from verſe 17. to the 22. wherein we hauehave
1. His Repentance: and therein
1. The motiues or occaſion therof, verſe 17. & that
Generall: A communing with himſelfe: And when he came to himſelfe, he ſaid.
More ſpeciall.
A conſideration of his owne miſery; I periſh for hunger.
A perſwaſion of his Fathers merciemercy; which is nouriſhed by his Fathers liberall dealing, euen towards hyred ſeruants: For they hauehave bread enough.
2. His reſolution, verſ. 18.19. what
To doe viz.
To Ariſe.
To goe to his Father.
To ſay, Father, I hauehave ſinned, &c.
3. His practiſe, verſe 20.21. wherein
1. His worke: and therein we hauehave
1. The act of his Repentance, wherein the two parts.
1. Auerſion from ſinne: He aroſe.
2. Conuerſion to God: And came to his Father.
2. The time employed in that particle [So.]
2. His words, which are a Confeſſion: wherein
1. The Matter of it, I hauehave ſinned.
2. The circumſtances.
1. To whom, viz. to his Father: Father, &c.
2. The Manner how, viz. with
Exageration.
Humiliation.
2. The ſucceſſe thereof which is diuers, viz. His
Fathers goodwill: wherein conſider
Firſt, His readineſſe to receiue him, verſe 20. expreſſed.
Firſt, By his looking on him.
Secondly, By his running to him.
Thirdly, By his kiſſing of him.
Secondly, The entertainement he gaue him, verſe 22.23. wherein is noted his
Liberality in giuing gifts, for
Neceſſity.
Delight.
Merry-making with
Melody, and
Muſicke.
Thirdly, The reaſon of this his entertainment, verſe 24. wherein is ſet downe mans twofold eſtate in this life, that of
Nature, He was dead, he was loſt.
Grace, He is aliue, he is found.
Brothers anger and ill-will, which is
Firſt, Occaſioned by the vnderſtanding of this his Fathers kindneſſe towards his younger Brother, verſ. 25-29. for
1. He heard melodie and dauncing, verſe 25.
2. His ſeruants made relation of it, v. 26.27. Therfore he was angry, v. 28
Secondly, Expreſſed by his
Reaſoning with his Father, verſ. 29.30.
Accuſing of his Father, verſ. 29.30.
Thirdly, Qualified by his Fathers
Kinde Entreaty, verſe 28.
Meeke Apollogie, verſ. 31.32. which hath in it a
Propoſition; wherein thereis a conceſſion to what his older ſonne had ſaid, verſe 31.
Confirmation, ab aequo, & bono. It was meete that we ſhould make merry, &c.
End of the text · Nehemiah Rogers, The True Convert (1620)