teach men so, as the scribes and Pharisees did, is much worse. But thanks be to God, in spite of them, and of all their traditions, the command stands in full force and power.

Particularly note our Lord's regard to the right discharge of duties to each other, especially of that of children to their parents. No forms, notions charities, nor any thing else that looks like faith, zeal, and piety, can prove those to be true Christians who neglect to honour their father or mother, or to supply their wants.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing to (Ephesians v. 1, Colossians

the Lord." iii, 20.

Too soon did he his fellow servant find, From whom, as chaned a trifling sum behind, An hundred pence was on account unpaid; Throttling he seizd him, did the wretch upbraid.

THE CRUEL FELLOW-SERVANT.

will

"Cruel and wicked!" thy request I heard,
And hadst thou no compassion, no regard
To other's prayers? Hence from my sight away,
In dungeon mourn, till thou the debt do pay.

THE Lord's "servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, have patience with me, and I pay thee all. And he would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt." (Matt. xviii. 28, 29, 30.) The haughty servant's extreme severity towards his poor fellow-servant, notwithstanding his Lord's clemency toward him, represents the sin of those who are unmerciful towards their fellow-creatures. How very

small the debt, compared with the ten thousand talents which his lord forgave him— only a hundred pence. What needed this violence? How submissive the debtor was! the poor man's request was, “Have patience with me." He thus honestly confesses the debt, and only begs for a little time.

The rest of the servants were much concerned. They came and told their lord. But observe how the master reproved the servant's cruelty. Unmercifulness is great wickedness. He upbraids him with the mercy he had found. Consider, it was all that debt; that great debt: ten thousand talents. The master thence shows him the obligation he was under to be merciful to his poor fellow-servant. It is justly expected that such as have received mercy, should show mercy. From what we have felt ourselves, we can better have fellow-feeling