the care of the older, entreating him to watch over, and guard him from danger. With this charge they parted. It happened, that as the enemy advanced, the zealous young man discharged his arrow at them, and then he stood defenceless, and would have been easily killed, but fortunately he remembered his brother, who was at that moment coming to his assistance; so he ran behind his brother's shield, and was saved. And thus must the Christian recollect his elder brother (Christ), Rom. viii. 29, who has prepared "the shield of faith, wherewith he shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." -Eph. vi. 16. But to return-though we have seen that wickedness bears so odious an aspect, and is so ruinous in its consequences, will sin, in its most engaging appearance, satisfy the desires. of the immortal soul?

No. "It is spending our money for that which is not bread, and our labour for that which satisfieth not.".-Isa. lv. 2. It is "feeding on wind," Hos. xii. 1, and "on ashes."-Isa. xliv. 20. They do not know that they are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." -Rev. iii. 17.

66

It is said, in the parable, that the prodigal 66 came to himself." Does not that sound as if he were out of his right mind before?

"The

Yes. And so it is said of sinners. heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live."-Eccl. ix. "Fools (or madmen) make a mock at sin."Prov. xiv. 9. 'I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly."-1 Sam. xxvi. 21.

3.

The very word repentance, is taken from a word, which signifies a growing wise again. It was affliction that first taught the prodigal to reflect upon his sinful conduct; and have not others borne the same testimony?

Yes. David said, "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word."Ps. cxix. 67. "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." -Ps. cxix. 71. "For the Lord will not cast off for ever: for though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion, according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men."-Lam. iii. 31.

You saw that the prodigal could find no relief, till he returned to his father. I dare say you can tell me that this has been experienced by others?

"When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to King Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away: I will take away, and none shall rescue him. I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face in their affliction they will seek me early. Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up."-Hos. v. 13. The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the men of wisdom shall see thy name; hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it."-Mic. vi. 9.

Are we not taught in the Church Liturgy to return to God with humble acknowledgments of sin? Yes. In the Confession we say, "We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts." We are everywhere instructed in the Bible so to confess our sins. "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin."-Ps. xxxii. 5. "Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord."-Jer. iii. 13. "We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers; for we have sinned against Thee. Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us."-Jer. xiv. 20.

Now, repeat any passage where the same idea is given, that God, as it were, comes out to meet our trembling returns to Him?

"It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."-Isa. lxv. 24.

Self-abasement and contrition are feelings suited at all times for a sinner, in approaching God; but, more particularly, when impressed with His boundless love in Christ Jesus. Can you recollect where this is expressed?

"The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance."-Romans ii. 4.

The prodigal's deep expressions of sorrow are proper for all true penitents. Possibly you can give me others of a similar kind?

"God be merciful to me a sinner."-Luke xviii. 13. "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."Job. xlii. 6.

In prayer enter into particulars: confess all to God-not only your wicked actions, but also your thoughts likewise: beg earnestly that God would give you a tender conscience and quick discernment, to know wherein you do amiss, for we should always bear in mind, that we carry about with us " a heart deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked."-Jer. xvii. 9. In the Exhortation, what advice does the Minister give us, before we make the confession of our sins?

"Not to dissemble nor cloke (conceal) them before the face of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father."

Give me some assurance from God, that our sins shall be forgiven upon our sincere repent

ance.

“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions, for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."-Isa. xliii. 25. "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud thy sins; return unto me, for I have redeemed thee."-Isa. xliv. 22.

What is the meaning of the "best robe" that was given to the prodigal?

Christ's righteousness. "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion; to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the

garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."Isa. Ixi. 3. Christ says, "I counsel thee to buy of me white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed." -Rev. iii. 18.

In the parable of the Great Supper we shall speak more of this. Tell me what is the feast prepared for returning penitents?

The promises of the Bible. David says— My soul shall be satisfied, as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips."-Ps. lxiii. 5. "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth."-Ps. cxix. 103.

The prodigal was considered to be as one dead, while at a distance from his happy home: and in what state are we really by nature?

Dead in Adam. "For in Adam all die.". 1 Cor. xv. 22. Dead by the law. "I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died."-Rom. vii. 9. Dead in trespasses and sins. "You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." —Eph. ii. 1.

What a blessed promise is that—" Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." Perhaps you can repeat for me another promise of this kind.

"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."-John xvii. 24.

Let us each examine ourselves, whether we