Luke 15:11-32 And he said, A certain man had two sons:… I heard Thackeray in this city lecture on "The Four Georges." With his own peculiar eloquence, he described the sad insanity of George III. I recollect especially his account of the poor king's transient recovery. Mr. Pitt was sent for. It was a great event. The king had "come to himself." The Regency Bill was preparing; but even yet it might not be required. Alas! his sanity was short-lived. For, sitting down at his favourite organ, he played a few notes — stopped — covered his face with his hands-burst into tears — and then reason fled for ever! "I'll hear what God the Lord will speak; To His folk He'll speak peace, And to His saints; but let them not Return to foolishness."It lies with them to say whether they will return to it or not. The poor king could not help returning to his foolishness, but Christians can. As spiritual insanity, from the first, is voluntary and culpable, so is the relapse into it. Resist the devil, and he and his hallucinations will flee from you. This youth in the parable did not return to his folly again, but to his father. (F. Ferguson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he said, A certain man had two sons: |
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