he can, to give up all he has honestly, and depend on their generosity to give him back a part, if they please.

But if a debtor is not willing to give all up, they do not forgive him so readily; but when he comes out honestly, and sincerely, and gives all up, where is there a creditor so hard, that, when he sees he has done all he can, will not be willing to forgive him, upon a promise, that if he should ever be able, he will pay the whole debt. I ask, where is there a creditor who would not forgive such a debtor? Well then, if we admire the mercy of the king, which Jesus compares to the Heavenly Father, in forgiving his debtor, how much more shall we admire the mercy of God, who stands always ready to forgive those who sin against him. He commanded that himself, wife and children should be sold, but the servant fell down at his feet and begged that he would have patience, and said that he would pay him all. He had compassion on the servant and forgave him the debt. But let us remember, there is a condition as well on our part, as on the Lord's part. This servant proved himself not a faithful servant; for he found one of his debtors "who owed him a hundred pence; and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, pay me that thou owest. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet and besought him, saying, have patience with me, and

I will pay thee all." But what did he do? He brought the whole debt against him, and cast him into prison until he should pay it.

What excellent instruction is this to us, my friends what adorable mercy was manifested by the king to his servant.

The prodigal also conveys an idea of a gracious God. He is certainly more merciful, ten thousand times more merciful, than man can be, as is shown by the parable of a man who had two sons. This, I believe, may be applied to the children of men. One son had gone out, after he had received his portion, and spent his living among harlots. The other son had staid at home and been dutiful in all things to his father. He never had turned aside or disobeyed him. This carries somewhat of the appearance to my mind, that this was Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only faithful. In order to explain a little, and bring it to man's understanding: when the prodigal son set out to go to his father, he said, “I will arise and go to my father, and I 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. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion on him." This is like the moment when we put on a good resolution to return to the Lord; when we are yet a

great way from that righteousness that we ought to be in.

Here now the father, "when he saw him coming, ran and fell upon his neck and kissed him." He commanded the best robe to be put on him, and to kill the fatted calf;-so rejoiced was he, to find his son which was dead, but was then alive; which had been lost, but was found.

The elder brother looking at it and considering the great prodigality of the younger and the attention that was then paid him, seemed to murmur. He could not see why his father should thus deal out to him. 66 Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandments; and yet thou never gavest me a kid that I might rejoice with my friends."

How excellent is the reply to this, my friends. "And the father said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me: and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad : for this thy brother was dead, but is alive again; he was lost, but is found."

O may this example leave a deep instruction upon our minds; and may we endeavour to come to that good resolution, every one now present, rich and poor, young and old, who are in the way of the prodigal. I make no doubt at all there are many who are spending their portion among har

lots, among other beloveds;-those that they love more than their Heavenly Father.

I will appeal to you, my dear young friends, you young women, whom I love sincerely. I want you to consider; are you not spending your portion in the various fashions of a degenerate and wicked world? This is the same thing, probably, that the prodigal was guilty of. We know not what those harlots were, but they were those things which turned his attention from the God of his salvation.

Therefore be persuaded by an elder brother, who greatly desires your salvation; be persuaded to turn in the days of your youth; it is a time so acceptable and a time which will so well recommend you into the favour of your Heavenly Fa

ther.

O turn to God in the days of your youth. You have an excellent pattern in the history of Jesus Christ, who pointed out the way. His way is our way; and it is a way of truth and life. No man can come to the Father, except by walking in the same way that he did.

There is no other way to glory; and there never was any other way, but the path in which Jesus himself trod. Therefore the blessed comforter, the spirit of truth that has come now under the gospel dispensation, is completely sufficient

1

for all the transgressions of Israel and the children of men, if they only fulfil the testimony.

One of the Lord's servants has declared, that the gospel is preached to every creature under heaven. Some think it is not preached to any under heaven, except those who have the Bible. But the Bible never preached the gospel. It is nothing but the Comforter, the spirit of God, that preaches the gospel to the children of men. Because if that only is the gospel, which is bound up in the book, we must all be predestinarians; and all who have not the book, must be lost. This is a great and sorrowful error. But it is not likely, that the outward covenant made with Israel, would at this day, or at any other day, suit the condition of any other people, but those with whom it was made. God had power sufficient to give it unto all the children of men, at the same time; but it was not suitable for any other people. No doubt at all, that he gave an inward covenant law to all the nations of the earth, suited to their several states and conditions. And those who were faithful to this dispensation written on the heart, in every nation, kindred, tongue and people under Heaven are the Lord's people. To these salvation is preached. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation; and nothing else is the gospel. Therefore the angels of God are preaching the gospel to every creature