GOD OUR FATHER. 351 tion is granted before it is made. Does He not shew himself to all as a Fa- ther, in the wonders of his creation, in the wonders of our being, preservation, and support ? Has he not, in a more especial manner, revealed Himself to us as a Father in the sublime wonders ofhis word, in the unsearchable riches of Christ, and the perpetuated gift of the Holy Spirit ? Does he not shew Him- self our Father, if, when we have done evil, He withholds His chastening hand ; if; when we have sinned, He still bears with us ; if, when we are deaf to his call, He repeats it ; if, when we delay, He waits for us ; if', when we repent, He pardons us ; if, when we return, He receives us ; if, when in danger, He preserves us from falling ; and if, when we fall, He raises us ? We have a beautiful illustration of the goodness of God as a mercifUl and tender Father in the deeply affecting parable of the Prodigal Son. Though the undone spendthrift knew that he had no possible
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