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example of God's free love in the former part of the parable, but enforced by the terrors of that everlasting vengeance in store for those who neglect it, which is declared at its close. "So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."

In this cursory consideration of the parable, we have omitted to note three important doctrines incidentally connected with it. These are, our inability to redeem each other; and yet, secondly, the efficacy of intercessory prayer; thirdly, our liability to fall from grace given. When the pardoned servant had maltreated and imprisoned his poor debtor, "his fellowservants, when they saw what was done, were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that was done."

Here was faith working by love. These his fellow-servants had learnt that duty of mercy which he overlooked. They had profited by the mercy which he had experienced. Yet they do not set about

attempting to pay the sufferer's debt for him. No man can redeem even his fellow's sin against another. But, they have recourse to their common Lord in behalf of the oppressed.

Whereby we see what we may do for the afflicted and distressed, even though it be quite beyond our power to rescue them ourselves.

When his fellow-servants saw what was done, "they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that was done." We can always, if we will, pray for the "prisoner and captive," "the afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate," and, if it be done in faith of God's Almighty power and mercy, and so with confession of our own weakness and unworthiness, we see, by the way in which the Lord interposed in the parable, how he may arise and avenge the poor.

Let no man, therefore, think he cannot help a sufferer, if he can but pray that he may be helped of God.

Furthermore, we may learn from this

parable, that (as our sixteenth Article teaches)" after we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin."

For the wicked servant, who so maltreated his fellow, had himself been pardoned, and sent away in peace, and in his Lord's favour; yet he forfeited this pardon and favour, entirely and for ever.

But yet another point remains unnoticed; I mean, the contrast between the hundred pence and the ten thousand talents. The contrast between our offences against each other, and our offences against God. However, time will not allow me to proceed with this, or to search out the other many deep things which doubtless this passage of the word of God contains. For, at each fresh glance, something before unseen comes out to view. Each word is radiant with beams from the fire of love. He that can count the rays that stream from a diamond in the sunshine, may count these.

Nor tongue of burning Seraphim can tell, nor mind of meditative Cherubim

can trace, the depth not only of the wisdom and knowledge and power, but of the love, of God'.

May He, then, Who is love, Himself teach us what is the depth and breadth and height of the love of Christ, Who gave Himself a ransom for our debts; and may He, by His Holy Spirit, so "pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before Him:" that, forgiving, we may be forgiven; yea, according as is our need, seventy times seven times a day!

1 Rom. xi. 33.

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Eph. iii. 18.

SERMON XII.

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

LUKE Viii. 45.

Jesus said, Who touched Me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with Him said, Master, the multitude throng Thee and press Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?

HE, Whom the multitude thus thronged and pressed, was the Creator and Preserver of all things, the Lord of life, the Giver of all good, Goodness itself. Not merely good. Not merely a source of good, but the source of all good, being Goodness itself, Mercy itself, Power itself; yet could a rude unthinking multitude throng Him; and press Him; and feel neither His power, nor His mercy, nor His goodness, nor derive any benefit, except it were in that they were not consumed.

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