gathering not far in the distance. The day of God's wrath is at hand, and they are out in that dangerous and destructive path without a shelter, and in a filthy, ragged, and starving condition. Their Heavenly Father is willing to shelter them beneath his everlasting arm; to wash them in the blood of the everlasting covenant, to clothe them with the robe of righteousness; to feed them with the bread of heaven. He condescends to call after the wanderers in the language of paternal affection: "My son, give me thy heart."[1] He expostulates with them, saying,—"How long ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity, and fools hate knowledge?"[2] "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfied, not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness."[3] But all these kind calls and tender expostulations are disregarded. The deluded souls continue
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the wisdom of duly
[ser. x.
