he regrets not the pains he has bestowed : he is satisfied with all the travail of his soul when he beholds us safe. With joy he brings us to the society of his peculiar people, and calls on them also to rejoice together with him. This is beautifully described by the pen of inspiration6 — , and gloriously realized in every quarter of the globe.]
Our Lord himself elucidates the parable by suggesting,
II. The improvement of it —
Nothing could be more pertinent than this parable to the occasion on which it was delivered —
"Repentance" is properly represented as the return of the soul to God —
[While we remain impenitent we are afar off from God : we wander further and further from the path of life. But in repentance we are made to see our guilt and danger : we gladly embrace the mercy offered to us in the Gospel, and give up ourselves to God to be governed by his will, and be saved by his grace.]
Hence the repentance of sinners becomes a matter of joy to all the holy angels —
[Whether the glorified saints take any interest in our welfare we know not; but we are sure that angels are not un- concerned spectators of usf : they greatly delight both in God's glory, and our good. The perseverance of established saints is a permanent source of happiness to them : but the conver- sion of a sinner fills them with more abundant joyg. The more desperate his condition had appeared, the more exquisite is the delight they feel in his recovery11. Even " in the pre- sence of God" himself they are attracted by this sight: not all the glory of the godhead can divert their attention from it ; nor all the felicity of heaven indispose them for rejoicing in it. However strange this idea may seem, it is truly scriptural. Nothing can be plainer than the affirmation in the text'; nor can we doubt it without greatly dishonouring the character of Christ k.]
« Zeph. iii. 17. f Heb. i. 14.
s They who need no repentance, are those, who having been con- verted to God, need not fieravoiav, an entire change of mind, but only to be confirmed in their present views, and to be rendered con- formable to them.
h So Jacob on account of his son Joseph, Gen. xlv. 26 — 28. and xlvi. 30.
' See also ver. 10. k " The faithful witness." Rev. i. 5.
1543. J THE LOST PIECE OF SILVER. 5o7
111 this view the repentance of men should excite joy in us also —
[This, though not expressed, is evidently implied in the words of our text. The chief scope of the parable was to reprove the envious spirit of the Pharisees. And what could so forcibly condemn it as the contrast here exhibited ? Does Christ rejoice at the return of a sinner, and shall we repine ? Do all the angels in heaven exult at such a sight, and shall we make it an occasion of offence ? Are we then indeed better judges of what is good than they ? or do we well to oppose what they so desire to see accomplished? Let us take heed lest we be found at last to have " fought against God :" let us rather encourage others both by precept and example : let us adore our Saviour for his condescension and grace toward sinful man ; and let that, which was urged as an objection against him, be the greatest commendation of him to our souls1.]
Address —
[While some are turning unto God, others are striving to draw them back. But let those, who have scoffed at religion, confess their folly ; and those, who have discouraged repentance in others, repent of their iniquity. On the other hand, let the humble penitent go to God with confidence. Who can read this parable and doubt Christ's willingness to save him? If there were but one penitent amongst us all, the angels would rejoice over him. How then would they shout for joy if we all began to implore mercy ! Our past iniquities would rather enhance than diminish their glorying on our account111. Let not those therefore, whose cases appear most hopeless, despond: let them forbear to trample any longer on the Saviour's love : let it be their ambition to give joy to those whom they have so often grieved. Thus also shall they join in the general chorus at the last day, and ascribe the " glory to him who loved them, and gave himself for them "."]