The Doctors call this gratiam primam et praevenientem, that is, the first and prevenient grace.
"Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church"
Friedrich Bente
But Flacius answered: If every detail of this parable taken from every-day life were to be interpreted in such a manner, Strigel would have to abandon his own teaching concerning prevenient grace, since according to the parable the repentance and return of the son precedes the grace bestowed by the father.
"Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church"
Friedrich Bente
Yet these very minds have always in the end discovered the necessity of finding place for the overwhelming certitude of a personal contact, a prevenient and an answering love.
"The Life of the Spirit and the Life of To-day"
Evelyn Underhill