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