33 His father kindly receives him. SECT. Providence taking care for his subsistence, -But when he was his father saw him, his neck, and kissed 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more But while he was yet at a considerable distance, his father, who happened to be then looking that yet a great way off, way, saw him, and presently knew him, dis- and had compassion, guised as he was; and his bowels yearned over and ran, and fell on him, to see him in so wretched a condition: and him. immediately, as if he had forgot the dignity of his own character, and all the injuries he had received, he ran to his child, and fell on his neck with an eager embrace, and tenderly kissed him 21 with tears of joy. And the son began to make his humble acknowledgments, as he before had purposed, and said unto him, O my abused and injured father, I am ashamed to appear in thy presence; for such has been my vileness, that I have sinned against the God of heaven, and before thec, and am no more worthy to be called and owned as thy son, or to receive any token of 22 thy favourable regards. But, before he could make an end of the speech he intended, the com- said to his servants, passionate father turned, and said to his servants, robe, and put it on who were now gathered round them, Go im- him, and put a ring mediately into the house, and bring out the best on his hand, and shoes robe that is there, and clothe him with it, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet, that my dear child may appear like himself: worthy to be called thy son, 22 But the father Bring forth the best on his feet. it; and let us eat and be merry: 23 And let others of you run to the stall, and 23 And bring hither bring hither the fatted calf that is there, and the fatted calf, and kill kill it for a festival entertainment; and let us 24 eat and be cheerful; For I esteem this as one of the happiest days of my life, and more joyful than the birth-day of one of my children; since this my son, that was so long considered by me as dead, is restored to life; and he who was The best robe.] It is observed by Ferrarius (de Re Vestiar. lib. iii. cap. 24.) that the can, or long robe, was a garment which servants never wore; so that his father's ordering any such garment, and especially the best, to be brought, was declaring, in the most moving manner that can be imagined, how far he was from intending to treat him like a servant.-His mentioning the ring and shoes spake the same language; as many learned writers have observed. See Wolfius in loc. h The fatted calf, and kill it.] Eisner would render the word voals, sacrifice it; truly urging that it was customary to offer concluded 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and a sacrifice at the birth, and sometimes at the unexpected recovery, of a child, (Sce Eisner. Observ. p 249, 250.) But no such sacrifice was appointed among the Jews, nor could any have been lawfully offered but at Jerusalem, which does not appear to have been the scene of this parable: so that I can see no just reason for such a rendering. iThat was dead, is restored to life.] It is by a very common and beautiful emblem that vicious persons are represented as dead, both by sacred and profane authors (compare 1 Tim. v. 6. Eph. ii, 1. v. 14. and Wolfius in loc.); and the natural death of His elder brother repines, and resents it. 39 and is found. And they concluded to be irrecoverably lost, is found, so SECT. began to be merry. that I have renewed hope of comfort in him. exxiii. And the whole house was filled with joy, and, Luke having made the entertainment ready they began XV. 24. to be cheerful. 25 Now his elder son was in the field and as he came and and asked what these things meant? But while the younger son was thus received 25 into his father's house, his elder son was abroad drew nigh to the in the field; and as on his return he approached house, he heard mu- the house, he heard the sound of music and dancsick and dancing. ing, and was surprised at the discovery of such 26 And he called unusual joy. And calling one of the servants 26 one of the servants, to come to him, he inquired of him what was the meaning of these things, and what could bave 27 And he said occasioned this extraordinary rejoicing? And 27 unto him, Thy bro- he said to him, It is, because thy younger brother thy father bath killed is come home; and thy father is so transported the fatted calf, be- with joy at his unexpected return, that he has cause he bath received killed the fatted calf, and made a very splendid entertainment, because he has received him in good health again, and found him happily re28 And be was covered to a sense of his duty. And he was very 28 angry, and would not angry at the kind reception of his brother, and resolved that he would not go in. ther is come; and him safe and sound. go in : Therefore came entreated him. His father therefore hearing he was there, and his father out, and being told he had discovered some uneasiness, came out with great condescension, and calmly entreated him to be pacified, and to join with them in the festivities of the day. 29 And he answer Lo, these many years But, instead of rejoicing on so happy an occa- 29 ing, said to his father, sion, and running to embrace his penitent brodo I serve thee, neither, he was still full of envy and resentment, ther transgressed I at and replied to his father, Behold, I have served any time thy com- thee these many years, and even to this day am thou never gavest me as careful of thy affairs as if thou wast my masa kid, that I might ter, rather than my father; nor canst thou say make merry with my I have at any time departed from my duty, or mandment, and yet friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. which hath devoured transgressed thy command; and yet thou hast never given me so much as a kid, that I might make an entertainment with a few of my select friends: But as soon as ever this thy favourite 30 son was come, who has, as much as in him lay, devoured thy substance with harlots abroad, in a long course of scandalous debaucheries, to his own ruin, and the infamy of thy family, thou of their children would be less grievous to pious parents, than to see them abandoned to such a course as this young sinner took. But to suppose an allusion here to that statute, (Deut. xxi. 18-21.) which hast condemned a disobedient and rebellious All 40 cxxiii. He is told by his father how fit it was to rejoice. SECT. hast killed for him the fatted calf, and made him. as welcome as if he had been the most dutiful child upon earth. Luke XV. 31. 31 And he said un ever with me, and all 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad : for And, though his father justly might have taken offence at his unbecoming reply, yet, with to him, Son, thou art great gentleness, he said to him, Son, thou art al- that I have is thine. ways with me, and art every day receiving some token of my kindness; yea, all that I have is in a manner thine, as thou art heir to the bulk of 32 my estate*: But surely, on farther consideration, thou must acknowledge that it was fit we should feast and rejoice to-day; for this thy poor brother, who was but lately looked upon as dead, is, as it were, miraculously made alive and was lost, and is again: and he who was lost to us all, is now happily found; and it will much better become thee to join with us in joy for his return, than thus peevishly to quarrel with my indulgence to him. Now you, who have heard this parable, will easily see how indecent this conduct was, and how ungracious a figure this elder brother makes in my story. And I will assure vou, that when you Pharisees murmur at the kindness shewn to the publicans, or even the Gentiles them. selves on their sincere repentance, you act with as ill a grace, and are the objects of still greater blame, in proportion to the degree in which men's eternal interests are more important than those that relate merely to the present state. All that I have is thine.] This is a material intimation, and suggests a strong reason against murmuring at the indulgence shewn to great sinners; for as the joyful welcome that the father gave this younger son did not incline him to disinherit the elder brother, so neither will God, out of a partial fondness for remarkable penitents, raise them to a state of glory superior to that of those who have on the whole made a greater progress in holiness, and done him more constant and faithful services. 1 This thy brother.] There is a lovely opposition between this and the 30th verse: the elder son had there indecently said, This thy son; the father in his reply tenderly says, This thy brother. And it is a moving intimation that the best of men ought to look upon the most abandoned sinners as in some respect their brethren still; and should especially remember the relation, when there appears any inclination to re turn. m To the publicans, or even the Gentiles themselves.] Many commentators have IMPROVE this thy brother was dead, and is alive again, found. considered this parable in a view of peculiar application to the Jews and Genties; and have observed that the murmurs of the Jews against the apostles for preaching the gospel to the Gentiles (see Acts xiii. 42— 50; xxii. 21, 22; and 1 Thes. ii. 16) are represented by the conduct of the elder brother.-This was certainly a case comprehended in our Lord's design; but he undoubtedly had something more in his intention. He meant to shew, that had the Pharisees been as eminently good as they themselves pretended to be, yet it had been very unworthy their character to take of fence at the kind treatment which any sincere penitent might receive. Thus does he here, and in many parallel texts, condemn their conduct on their own principles; though elsewhere, on proper occasions, he shews the falsehood of those principles, and plainly exposes their hypocrisy and guilt.— Thus the judicious Calvin states the matter; and it is strange so many learned writers should have puzzled themselves and their readers in so clear a case. Reflections on the folly of sinners, and the kindness of God. 41 IMPROVEMENT. LET us here behold, with all due attention, the moving representation which our gracious Redeemer makes of the folly of. sinners, and the compassions of God; compassions, which he describes, as one who himself felt them, and who in this respect, as well as others, was the express image of his Father. SECT. cxxiii. We have before us in this parable a lively emblem of the character and condition of sinners in their fallen state. They are thus impatient of the most necessary restraints, thus fondly con- Ver. ceited of their own wisdom; and thus, when enriched by the 12 bounties of the great common Father, do they ungratefully run from him, and say unto God, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways; (Job xxi, 14.) Sensual pleasures are 13 eagerly sought; and perhaps all their earthly possessions and hopes are quickly paid as the price of them. While the means of obtaining these pleasures continue, not a serious thought of God can 14 find a place in their minds: and then, perhaps, afflictions, heavy and complicated afflictions, come upon them; yet even under that pressure they will often make very hard shifts before they will 15, 16 be persuaded to think of a return; till at length Divine grace, working in concurrence with Providence, brings them to a better temper. When they see themselves naked and indigent, enslaved and 17 undone; when they come to themselves, and recover the exercise of their reason, improving it to the only purposes for which it would have been worth while to have received it ;-then they feel the pangs of penitential remorse; then they remember the blessings they have lost, and attend to the misery they have incurred. And hereupon they are disposed humbly to confess their 18, 19 folly, and to prostrate themselves in the presence of their heavenly Father: they put the resolution immediately into practice; they arise and go unto him. But oh, let us behold with wonder and pleasure the gracious 20 reception they find from Divine injured goodness! He sees them afar off; he pities, he meets, and embraces them; he interrupts 21 their complaints and acknowledgments with tokens of his returning favour. Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord; (Jer. xxxi. 20.) Thus does God welcome the humble penitent; thus does he open the arms of his love to embrace him, and the treasures of his bounty to enrich 42 22, 23 Christ delivers the parable of the unjust steward, SECT. him. He arrays him with the robe of a Redeemer's righteousness, cxxiii. dresses him in the ornaments of sanctifying grace, honours him with the tokens of adopting love, and invests him with the glorious privileges and immunities of his children. And all this he 24 does with unutterable delight: he rejoices over him with joy; he rests in his love, and, as it were, rejoices over him with singing (Zeph. iii. 17); and this is the joyful language of the song, My children that were dead, are alive again; and though they were lost, they are found. 25, 32 Let heaven and earth unite in the joy, and echo back the song. Let no elder brother murmur at the indulgence with which these prodigals are treated; but rather welcome them back into the family, and even encourage every thing that looks like a dispo→ sition to return to it. And let those who have been thus received, wander no more; but rather let them emulate the strictest piety of those, who for many years have served their heavenly Father, without having in any notorious instances transgressed his commandments. SECT. CXXIV. SECT. Luke XVI. 1. Christ delivers the parable of the unjust steward, and reproves the 1-18. LUKE XVI. 1. LUKE XVI. 1. unto his disciples, same was accused un OUR UR Lord then spake another parable, by AND he said also cxxiv. which he intended to convince his hearers There was a certain of the necessity of making a right use of their rich man which had worldly enjoyments; and, baving before rebuked a steward; and the the Pharisees for their envious and uncharitable to him, that he had temper, he said also to his disciples that were wasted his goods. about him, There was a certain rich man who had a steward, in whom he had long put great confidence; and he was at last accused to him, as having wasted his goods which had been intrusted 2 to his care. And calling him, he said unto him, What is this strange account that I hear of How is it that I hear thee? Can it be true that thou hast acted so this of thee? give an unjust and base a part? Give an immediate and account of thy stewexact account of thine administration and manage- ardship; for thou mayest be no longer stewment in this office; for thou canst be no longer ard. steward, with any honour to thyself, or satisfaction to me, while thou continuest under such imputations and suspicions as these. 3 And upon this, as might be well imagined, 2 And he called him, and said unto him, 3 Then the steward the steward was much alarmed, and said within said within ansett, himself, What |