And further-have you found that mercy for yourself-found it in the cross-found it in the blood that cleanseth from all sin? Then you can indeed speak of the blessedness of "the man, whose unrighteousness is forgiven, and whose sin is covered."

But, you observe, that the King, in the Parable, treated his debtor with a little severity at first he "commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made."

:

He

Now, are we to gather from this, that God is harsh and severe-that He is "extreme to mark what is done amiss?" No; He is a God, full of love. Before we ever turn to Him, His eye of mercy is towards us. "waiteth to be gracious." Like a Father, He listens for the first cry of His returning children. But we may learn this-that God hates sin; and, so long as the sinner remains impenitent, he is treasuring up for himself wrath against the day of wrath: God is angry with him every day.

So much for the first part of the Parable,

which is intended to describe the forgiveness which the penitent believer has received from God. It is a full, a free, an entire forgiveness of all his sins. God looks upon the debt, as if it had never existed.

But let us go on a step, and see what the Parable teaches, as to our being ever ready to forgive an offending brother. It is clearly our duty, as Christians, to forgive. Without it, what can we expect? where is our hope? It is written, "He shall have judgment without mercy, that showed no mercy. "Forgive," says our Lord, "and ye shall be forgiven." "Be merciful, even as your Father which is in heaven is merciful." And what is the petition which most of us put up every day of our lives? "Our Father, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us," that is, "Forgive us, just in the same degree that we forgive others." then you are an unforgiving one, only see what your prayer amounts to:-" O God, I have not forgiven my brother; I cannot forgive him therefore do not forgive me-let me also remain unforgiven." What an awful

If

prayer! And yet, so long as you are unforgiving, you put up this very prayer day by day.

Now, one would think that a Christian, to whom mercy has been shown, would at least feel mercy for others-that, having been forgiven himself, he would be ever ready to forgive his brother. Is it so? Alas! if we look around us, there are too many proofs that this spirit of forgiveness and long-suffering is sadly wanting, even among Christ's people. There was need then of the latter part of the Parable, as well as the first part.

But you will say, "It is hard to bring ourselves to forgive." Yes, I know it is hard. For our wicked hearts love to take revenge. Our proud hearts will not stoop to pass by injuries. And, in this respect, what a difference there is between God and men. When we forgive, it costs us an effort: but God delighteth in showing mercy.

In Luke xvii., Jesus says to His disciples, "If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day,

and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him." When Jesus said this, His disciples exclaimed, "Lord, increase our faith!" They felt how difficult it was to carry out this loving precept, and so they asked that more faith might be given them from above.

Yes, it is hard to forgive our brother, if he has wronged us-I mean, completely to forgive him. We will forgive him in part, but not entirely-not all the debt. We will forgive him perhaps, if he will humble himself before us, and own himself wrong. This will be some amends to us: it will satisfy our pride. Or we will forgive him in words, so that nothing more is required of us. We will say that we bear him no ill-will; for this will not cost us much. But our Lord requires more; for He speaks, at the close of the Parable, of heart-forgiveness being necessary: "If ye from your hearts forgive not."

Let us ask God, then, to grant us a forgiving heart—such a patient, tender, loving spirit as Jesus has shown to us.

It is hard, I say, to forgive-hard for flesh

and blood-hard, unless grace has gained the victory in our hearts. But if our unforgiving temper has been subdued, and a Christ-like spirit has been given us, then how sweet it is, how blessed, to shew mercy to others!

Was that Servant happy, when he went out and cast his fellow-servant into prison? And are you happy, when you bear malice in your heart against a neighbour? Can you be really happy, when you know that there is in this wide world even one, whom you cannot look upon with a feeling of kindness. and love?

say,

Oh, there is a joy in forgiveness. What joy there would be in going to the prison cell of some Debtor, with a pardon in your hand; and especially if you could "I know myself what it is to have been a prisoner. I have tasted the sweets of liberty." Truly there is a joy in forgiving. Then let us not shut ourselves out from that joy. Let us taste often of that happiness, by cultivating a spirit of forgiveness towards all around us.

Try and carry out in your daily life the lessons which Jesus teaches us in this Parable. If there is any one who has wronged you,