these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but as soon as this thy son was come, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf." (ver. 29, 30.) In this we see much of self-praise, with but little of that charity that covers a multitude of sins and hopes well of all. Although the father did not deny his son's obedience, yet his gentle rebuke shows how unjust and cruel was the son's complaint. "Son," replied the father, "thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." Had the elder son joined in the festivity of the brother's return, it would not have subtracted one tittle from his pleasures, but rather have multiplied them. There are some in religion, who, like the elder son, pride themselves in external goodness, and not having transgressed against the outward commands of religion and morality, they ascribe to themselves merit and praise; and for merely doing that which they ought to do, think themselves profitable and not unprofitable servants. They are something like the Pharisee, who, while in prayer with the publican, thanked God he was not like other men, or even as this poor publican; while the publican, more humble, only smote upon his breast, saying, "God me merciful to me a sinner!" We know which went down to his house justified rather than the other. So in the case of the younger son, the prodigal; he declared with heartfelt sorrow, that he had sinned against heaven and his father, and was no more worthy to be called a son; while the elder said to his father, I never transgressed thy law at any time, yet thou gavest me not even a kid to
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