the toays of sin are hard, hy bitter experience. Our Lord shows us the younger son spending all his property and reduced to want, — obliged to take service and "feed 8wine,"-80 hungry that he is ready to eat swine's food, and cared for by none.
These words describe a common case. Sin is a hard master, and the servants of sin always find it out, sooner or later, to their cost. Unconverted people are never really happy. Under a profession of high spirits and cheerfulness, they are often ill at ease within. Thousands of them are sick at heart, dissatisfied with themselves, weary of their own ways, and thoroughly uncomfortable. " There be many that say, who will show us any good." " There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." (Psa. iv. 6. Isaiah Ivii. 21.)
Let this truth sink down into our hearts. It is a truth, however loudly unconverted people may deny it. " The way of transgressors is hard." (Prov. xiii. 16.) The secret wretchedness of natural men is exceedingly great. There is a famine within, however much they may try to con- ceal it. They are " in want." He that " soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption." No wonder that St. Paul said, " What profit had ye in those things whereof ye are now ashamed." (Gal. vi. 8. Rom. vi, 21.)
We see, thirdly, in this parable, man awaking to a sense of his natural state, and resolving to repent. Our Lord tells us that the younger son " came to himself and said, how- many servants of my father have br^ad enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger P I will arise and go to my father, and say unto him, Father, I have sinned."
The thoughts of thousands are vividly painted in these