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So it was with the Pharisees. They "said, and did not." Their character was well described by Isaiah (chap. xxix. 13):-" This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."

And is there not a danger of our falling into the same snare-professing more than we feel, more than we believe, more than we are prepared to perform? I would rather see a person like Nicodemus, or Joseph of Arimathæa, who for a while kept himself in the shade, than like Jehu, who cried, "Come, see my zeal for the Lord."

Do not mistake me. We ought to make a profession, and we dishonour Christ if we shrink from it. But then let it be an honest, true-hearted profession; and let our daily life be in keeping with it. Let us promise little, and do much. Let us not sound a trumpet before us, but let us try to do good secretly. Let us make no display with our lamps, but let us see that they give forth a clear light.

Oh for more of that inner work of God in our souls! Oh, for more of the indwelling of the Spirit, filling us with holy light and love!

Oh that we may live unto God, and not unto men; and be able to say, with Peter, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee"!

2. We may learn from this Parable that the Penitent are welcome to Christ. We know this from many other portions of Scripture; but here it is especially taught us.

Happy those who have always walked in God's ways, from their very childhood upwards-who have loved Him in their earliest and freshest days, and given Him their first and best affections. They are specially dear to Him now; and they will be greatly honoured hereafter. Their's will be a bright crown indeed.

But what of those, who have wandered and strayed from the right path? What, if for years they had no thought about their souls, and just walked in the ways of the world around them? Is any hope held out to such? Is there any way pointed out, by which they may return, and find forgiveness ? Yes; there is mercy for the penitent. "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus

Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins." Like the repenting Son in the parable, our services may yet be accepted. There is pardon for the contrite sinner. There is salvation for the lost, through the abounding merits of the Saviour.

The Publicans and Harlots were bad enough; but, when they felt their sins, and sought for mercy in Christ, they found acceptance. The difference between them and the Pharisees was, as the difference which we sometimes see between two persons who are sick. In one, the disease is in the frame, but there is no outward symptom to be seen. In the other, the disease shews itself, and takes a decided shape. The last is far the most hopeful of the two, and is the most likely to come to the Physician to be cured.

Oh the riches of God's patience and mercy, in having borne so long with us! And oh the depth of His love, in receiving back the penitent and contrite sinner, and granting him a place among His children!

Be encouraged by this Parable to go and lay down your sins at the cross, and seek pardon through the Saviour's precious blood.

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Go now, while the door is open; or it may be too late to seek an entrance. It has been well said, that "a late repentance is seldom true," but that "true repentance never comes too late."

3. Another thing which the Parable reminds us of is, that God bids us all to work for Him. He says to you and me, "Son, work in my vineyard." We must not be content with talking and feeling; but we must work for Him. He has done so much for us, that we owe Him all our strength, and all our service. And most assuredly, if our hearts are influenced by His grace, we shall feel a longing desire to be doing something for Him. By the sin of Adam we were turned out, as it were, to labour in the barren world; but by grace we are called again to work in our Father's vineyard: and that is profitable, pleasant, happy work. To do His willto serve Him during our few short days on earth-to be doing something which is pleasing and acceptable to Him-this is our duty and our privilege. May we be ever ready to be so employed!

4. But lastly, we are reminded also that we must enter upon our work at once. There must be no delay, no putting off till tomorrow" Son, work to-day in my vineyard."

Ah, dear Friends, our time is slipping away very quickly. If some of us could count our remaining years, or even weeks, we should find them to be very few; and yet there is much to be done. Are we doing it? Long enough, and earnestly enough, we have done the world's work—and perhaps Satan's work too. Oh that we may employ the little time that is left in working for our heavenly Master!

Perhaps we have been labouring hard for some object, which in a few years we shall feel to be of but little importance and we shall then wonder that we worked for it with such eagerness. Perhaps we have been striving to gain something that we must soon. lose again. We have indeed been "spending our money for that which is not bread, and our labour for that which satisfieth not." Oh let us now give ourselves to God, to spend, and be spent, in His service. Let us be doing that work now, in which we should like to be found occupied at our Lord's coming.

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