231 VIII. THE GLAD TIDINGS. THE well-known parable of the "Lost Son" is full of meaning and import, even in its minutest trait. The most trifling articles of raiment or ornament, with which the "restored one" is presented by his father, are images of imperishable, divine treasures. What is to be understood by the best robe and shoes, is easily shown. The attention is especially called to the ring, which, according to Luke,1 the father places upon the hand of his beloved son. What meaning do we discern in that? A ring given as a present is ever a testimonial and pledge of favour and affection. When Pharaoh, influenced by esteem for Joseph, confidently placed in his hands the helm of government, he presented him with a ring, as a confirmation of his friendly feelings. Rings of affiance and marriage, what are they but symbolic presents, by which we reciprocally assure each other of our fidelity. Now, I know of one ring; and whoever possesses it is truly happy. And were he in possession of naught else but this jewel, he would still be rich enough to leave unenvied both kings and emperors. This ring, indeed, is not formed of gold, nor of any other earthly matter. Neither does it come from a bridegroom of 1 Luke xv. 22. 2 this world, nor from one of the high and mighty of the earth. It is of wonderful, mysterious workmanship. The inscriptions, with which it is adorned, are, above all measure, sweet and delightful. Upon it is engraven the sentence," Yes, I have loved thee with an everlasting love;"1 and that of, "Be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee;" and the figure in the centre is a cross, over which hovers the beaming crown of honour. Paul possessed this ring; whence he could exclaim with joy, "I have obtained mercy." Peter had it, when he exclaimed in triumph, "Blessed be God, which hath begotten us again unto a lively hope."s O many, many have already possessed it; and all who had it were joyful, blessed, divinely-happy mortals; happy even in the wilderness, happy even in the field of battle, happy even on the scaffold. This ring is miraculous. It will no longer be doubtful to you, what is to be understood by the ring. The ring signifies that which we call assurance of grace, or the testimony of God in the soul, that we in Christ are his children. Certainly, we are to be already considered as blessed, if only we stand in grace, no matter whether we experience it, whilst we are living, or whether it be concealed from us. But double bliss must it be, to be able in the valley of the shadow of death to boast with joyful consciousness: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."4 Yes, that ring well merits that we should stake every thing to gain possession of it. There is no amulet more worthy of acquirement 1 Jer. xxxi. 3. 2 Matth. ix. 2. 4 Rom. viii. 38. than this; it opens for us already, on this side of the grave, a peaceful paradise. If we enquire farther, whence this miraculous ring originally sprung, we receive only a mysterious explanation. The ring has cost not a little! Not to us, who are invested with it, but to Him who has presented it to us. Lightly enough does it sound to our ears, when the father in our text says: “Put a ring on his hand;" but what has he not had to sacrifice before he was able to say thus. Our beloved God is rich, it is true; who doubts it? and such a ring he may have possessed amongst his treasures for the hands of his holy angels, perhaps, but not for the hands of the fallen children of Adam. He could give no marriage ring to sinners, nor testify of his love. His holiness demanded rather separation from sinners; his righteousness and truth required their eternal estrangement. One thing was necessary: that we who were polluted, should become again pure before him; one thing was indispensable, previous mediation and atonement. You know that He himself undertook in the mission, resignation, and suffering of his only begotten Son, to overcome the hopeless difficulty. Had this mysterious mediation not taken place, then God might have had iron chains in which to hand us over to the powers of the depths below, but no nuptial-and grace assuringring would He possess for us. In the passion-history of our Surety you behold the laboratory, in which this jewel was first won and perfected. The offering of the cross presents the firmest and immutable ground, resting upon which the holiness of God can consist with the declaration to transgressors, "By grace are ye saved.”1 66 Dearly, dearly, has that ring been purchased! To that ring adheres the bloody sweat of the Eternal Son! If it be farther asked, who is to receive that precious ring? the answer is this: "Only for the heart, thirsting for grace, is that jewel intended." If any other, a pharisee, a torpid worldling, or a slave of sin, boasts that he possesses the ring, then he is a thief, and has stolen the ring. But God's eyes are like flames of fire, and search into all. For such a man there awaits a dreadful period, when by the sentence of the judgeVerily, I say unto you, I know you not!"-the ring so lawlessly usurped is again reclaimed and snatched away. But let not him, who has in his heart thirsted after Jesus, because in the sight of God his sin was extremely sinful, lose courage from the consciousness that he is a sinner; and if he be one in a higher degree than others, let him consider that a Rahab, a David, a Manasseh, have also received this ring. Let him only persevere for the precious jewel at the throne of grace: not for the ring of the unfallen angels, but for that which was gained for the publicans, and he will receive it. Certainly, he must wait with patience till the Father's hour come. He cannot receive it till the Father give it him. Men cannot, however they may desire, give it to him. Many things are done in order to gain it. We compare ourselves with other Christians, in order to drink from common wells the consoling confidence that we are in grace. We examine the Scripture presents as signs of the state of grace, and seek to ascertain whether we cannot discover one or other of them in ourselves. But if even we can say to ourselves, "Yes, 1 Matt. xxv. 12. I find this and that in me; I suffer sorrow; I hunger and thirst after righteousness, I am poor in spirit;" still there remains between this and the joyful conclusion, "Consequently the kingdom of heaven belongs to me!" one step which we cannot take without the help of God. He must, by His Spirit, place the ring upon the finger. This he does, when and how it pleaseth him. Many he leaves to yearn after it, for a long, long time. To others he presents it at the first meeting. Thus with the prodigal son. No wonder that the elder brother looked jealous. O blessed is he to whom the ring has been apportioned ! Whosoever has received the ring from God, is freed from every thing. Such an one has no longer a consciousness of his sins, and the Spirit bears testimony to his spirit that he is a child of God. The most bitter draughts become sweet and drinkable, if we have this ring to dip into them. This ring causes us to sing cheerfully, even amidst the storm of adversity. With this ring we may suffer in the hottest, glowing fire of tribulation, and yet not be consumed, nay, are even housed in cool security. When all forsake and desert us, this ring enables us to bear up cheerfully. This ring gives courage in every struggle, and ah! how valiant, how triumphant does it render us! The sweetest slumbers, the most cheerful readiness for pilgrimage, does this ring impart. Before this ring the gates of heaven fly open, and by the power thereof we send an "Abba" to the heart of the Father. Yes, this ring robs death of its terrors. It passes through the dark vale with bright, festive brilliance. What was it made the countenance of Stephen while being stoned to death, beam like that of an angel? It was this ring. What was it that trans |