ROMISH CHURCH EXPOSED***


Transcribed from the R. Weston edition [circa 1811–1826] by David Price,
email ccx074@pglaf.org

                 [Picture: Public domain pamphlet cover]





                                   THE
                          _Elder Son explained_,
                                 AND THE
                          ROMISH CHURCH EXPOSED.


                                * * * * *

     _Eight reasons why I believe that he was not a saved Character_,

VARIOUS have been the opinions of good men concerning the elder son: some
suppose it must mean the elect angels, who, though holy beings, yet were
envious of the high honors conferred on man who was so far beneath them.
He took not on him the nature of angels, but, as the son of God, he took
on him the seed of Abraham; and being found in fashion as a man, he
humbled himself to the death of the cross.  But to form such an opinion
of the holy angels is quite absurd, seeing, that so far from envying what
grace has done for fallen man, they are represented as filled with joy.
Hence the prophet calls upon them to rejoice—“Sing, O ye heavens! the
Lord hath redeemed his people”—and in their death and safe arrival to
glory, the promise runs—“For ye shall go out with joy and be led forth
with peace, the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing,
(the elect angels and the spirits of just men made perfect) and all the
trees shall clap their hands for joy”—God’s called people upon the
conversion and happy death of others—how vast their joy at the
incarnation of Christ, when they brought glad tidings of great joy; and
after delivering the glorious message, they returned singing glory to God
in the highest.  Our dear Lord also assures us there is joy in the
presence of the angels when sinners on earth repent.  And why?  As Mr.
Toplady says, “Tell me ye seraphs of light, tell me ye souls of just men
made perfect, why this exuberance of holy rapture on the real recovery of
a single sinner to God?”  Because ye know, assuredly, that every true
conversion is, first, a certain proof that the person converted is one of
your own elect number; and secondly, that he shall infallibly persevere
and be brought to heaven.  Many more reasons might be assigned why the
elect angels rejoice in the conversion of a sinner to God.  Other writers
have supposed that our Lord did not mean any particular person or
character, or order of beings, by the elder brother in this parable; but
this is most absurd, to suppose that our Lord should utter so many words,
including eight verses, _about nobody_.  If the younger brother alludes
to some order of beings, surely the description of the elder brother
cannot be without meaning.  This however was the opinion of the late
worthy John Bradford; but he is the only writer I hope that ever held
such a weak idea.  Others have supposed, that the elder brother signifies
a believer truly converted, but very legal in mind—one that has been kept
from outward sin—very precise and moral—virtuous and consistent, yet
envious at the conduct of God our heavenly Father towards a most
desperate backslider.  This I acknowledge was my opinion for some years;
but in time I was led to see that this opinion was wrong, and that the
prodigal son refers to the state of God’s elect as fallen in Adam the
first, and called, convinced, and effectually converted in Adam the
second, by the Holy Spirit; and that the elder brother is an exhibition
of the whole group of pharisees in every age and of every denomination.
For however moral a believer may be kept all his days, yet was there
ever, is there now living, one child of God upon earth that ever could
use such language as this proud boaster is represented using.  “Lo, take
notice Lord, these many years have I served thee—I never transgressed thy
commandment AT ANY TIME.”  I say again, there NEVER was such a believer
to be found that dare to make use of such arrogance and awful lies.  None
but the God-man Mediator has a right to such language—He never
transgressed the commandments of God at any time, but fulfilled all
righteousness for the justification of his church, which is the best and
first robe that clothed the repenting prodigal.  The saints of God, as
recorded in the word of God, have at times made use of very passionate
language under pinching trials, and when falsely accused have vindicated
themselves from cruel aspers