pleasure, yet, in that restless anxiety and bitter disap pointment, which always accompany the pursuit of worldly happiness, they are taught the folly and wickedness of having" forsaken God, the fountain of living waters, and of having hewn out to themselves broken eisterns, which can hold no water." Does the sinner, however, generally profit by these things? Does be generally look upon them as the consequences of his transgressions; and is he prevailed on, by them, to renounce his ungodly courses, and return to his heavenly Father? Alas! the hardening nature of sin! The carnal enmity of the human mind to God and holiness! Instead of being brought back by chastisements to the path of duty, man under the afflisting rod too often seeks only how he may get at a further distance from God. Past disappointments, instead of convincing him of the vanity of these pursuits, only increase his eagerness after them, and urge him to fresh and greater efforts. Thus he becomes still more and more enslaved to sinful habits. Sin acquires a stronger power over him. Blinded by the God of this world, he pursues his ungodly course without remorse or fear, and is every day treasuring up for himself, a greater measure of wrath against the day of wrath. How sad and lamentable a condition is this! The poor Prodigal feeding on the busks, and expecting almost daily to perish with hunger, does not present so miserable a sight to the bodily eye, as such a poor deluded sinner enslaved to sin, and ready to perish eternally, offers to the spiritual eye.

1

Let us now consider,

II. The nature and effects of true scriptural repentance, as they are set before us in this parable. We read of the prodigal, that "when he came to himself, "he said, 'How many hired servants of my father have "bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger! "I will arise and go unto my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose "and came to his father."

Extreme want, and the

prospect of being starved to death at length brought the prodigal to his senses, humbled his pride, and led him to see and to own his guilt and misery.

He came to

himself." Hitherto he had been acting the part of a fool and a madman. Under the idea of pursuing his pleasures he had been injuring and destroying himself. This truth he now discovered; and comparing his present, wretched state, with the happiness which he once enjoyed at home; nay, reflecting that the meanest servant in his father's house was plentifully supplied, had bread enough and to spare, while he, the once-faYoured happy son, was ready to perish with hunger, he deeply felt and lamented his folly and guilt. The remembrance of his father's kindness touched his heart; while the recollection of his own base ingratitude, filled him with remorse and shame. But in the midst of these distressing thoughts, a ray of hope broke in. The very remembrance of his father's kindness, which pierced him to the soul, yet raised an idea in his mind, that possibly he might yet receive him, and at least might

This idea, once raised, is

save him from perishing. cherished as his only hope. He says, "I will arise and I will acknowledge my trans

go to my Father.”

gressions, I will confess my unworthiness. I cannot

dare to ask that he will receive me as his-son; but 'peradventure, he may put me among his hired servants." And he arose and went.

The way was long. He had

come into a far country. journey, and would be forced to beg his bread on the road. As he drew nearer home, doubts and fears would greatly increase and agitate him. Shame would often be ready to stop him and tuin hin back. The dread of the ridicule which his present appearance would excite in those, who had known him in his better days, would often cause him to faulter by the way. Above all, the apprehension of his father's just reproaches, the thoughts of his angry countenance, would at times fill. Sim with dismay and terror: But still, if he go not forward, whither can he go? If his father, his father once so loving and so kind, will not receive him, who will receive him? Can it be possible that such a fath er should not receive him? These thoughts again revive his spirits and with trembling steps, and an anxious beart he still pursues his journey.

He was ill provided for the

Behold in this relation a clear description of the feelings and conduct of the repenting sinner. He too, has come to himself." By the grace of God he has recovered his senses, and is restored to his right mind: for so long as men are living without God in the world, with all their boasted wisdom they are but fools and madment Blind to their true interest, they are acting in the most un-

reasonable manner, and are only hurting and destroying themselves. But the person of whom we are speaking, the sinner, who has been brought by grace to see himself, has been greatly changed. His eyes have been opened. The Spirit of God, whose gracious office it is to convince the world of sin, has awakened him to a sense of his wickedness and misery. He now knows and feels that he is a sinner: and he trembles to think of the guilt which he has brought upon his soul. He sees the judgment to which he stands exposed, and anxiously looks around him for some way to escape. But where shall he find one? His talents have been wasted, his opportunities have been lost; years and years he has lived in sin, adding daily to the number of his transgressions, and increasing the power of sin in his heart. How keenly does he now feel, how deeply does he lament his past folly, his present misery! How earnestly does he now wish to be found among the people of God; among those whom he has hitherto despised, and not improbably has condemned and vilified. 6 They,' (he cries) they are happyThey are at peace with God. They walk in his. ways, and feel themselves safe under his wings. They have in him a Friend, a Father, a Saviour, in whom they can confide. But as for me, I have not served God nor walked in his ways. I have not even bad him, to any good purpose in my thoughts. I have displeased and provoked him. I have incurred a 'just condemnation. I must stand before his judgment-seat to receive my sentence. What shall I do ?*

But his case, though

yet a way of escape still discloses a way, peace and happiness.

It speaks "glad

Thus the convinced and humbled sinner reasons with himself, and deplores his state. bad, is not desperate. There is for him. The Gospel of Christ by which he may be restored to It offers comfort to those who mourn. tidings to the poor, liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." It proclaimeth in his ears, the gracious purpose, for which the Son of God came into the world, namely, to save sinners; and the merciful invitations by which he calls on all to come to him for rest. The sinner hears the

glorious sound. He perceives that there is mercy with God in Christ, for even the chief of sinners. He begins to think whether there may not be mercy for him. The thought inspires him with something like hope. 'At least,' (he cries) I will make an effort. I will take with me words and turn unto the Lord. I will break off from my evil habits. I will renounce my sinful pleasures, my unlawful gains. I will have nothing 'more to do with worldly and wicked men.

They

may revile, reproach, or ridicule me. But I will 'not be deterred by such things. I will seek after God. I will confess my sins. I will plead his promises in Jesus Christ. I will urge the sufficiency of his atoning sacrifice for all my sins. Though I can"not presume to hope for the children's bread, yet who

can tell, but that I may be allowed to share the 'crumbs under the table. At least I will try, and pray ' and wait, and seek: and if I do perish, it shall be at 'mercy's gate.' Such are his sentiments; and with