...hears the voice of the prodigal, is moved with compassion, and runs to meet him. Is Ephraim my desr son ? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against...him, I do earnestly remember him still : therefore my bo-velx are troubled for him ; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord. The virgin of Israel...

...interrupts his complaints and confessions, his sorrows and his fears — before he speaks he answers. " Is Ephraim my dear son ? is he a pleasant child ? for since I spake against him I do cwnestly remember him still ; therefore my 9 bowels are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy...

...upon my thigh : I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. — Is Ephraim my dear son ? Is he a pleasant child ?...will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord." Here is the true penitent, mourning for sin, covered with shame, and crying for mercy ; and the encouraging...

...hail your return with the liveliest tokens of joy ; and, in accents of paternal love, will exclaim, " Is Ephraim my dear son ? is he a pleasant child ?...I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord 1 ." 5. Come then, poor, trembling, conscious sinner, and refuse not the consolations of your God!...

...the Holy One in the midst of thee : and I will not enter into the city," Hos. xi. 8, 9. " Is Ephraiin my dear son ? is he a pleasant child ? for since I...will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord," Jer. xxxi. 20. But "let me alone .'" " Let me go, for the day breaketh," said the angel of the covenant...

...and say, " The Lord is righteous." When such conduct as this is shown, then God is heard saying, " Is Ephraim my dear son ? Is he a pleasant child ?...troubled for him : I will surely have mercy upon him," Jer. xxxi. 18, 20. The converted soul is then ready to say, I bless God who has taken down my stubborn...

...Abba m Christ to the Church, has come forth in acknowledgment of His child— " Ephraim, my dear son ! a pleasant child ; for since I spake against him,...will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord." And who can realize such things as these ! such turning " as clay to the seal," but the poor and exercised...

...child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still : therefore my bowels lare troubled for him ; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD. 21 Set thee up waymarks, make thee guideposts: set thine heart toward the high way, even the way by...

...towards whom He in covenant bonds stands thus related. " O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me." Is Ephraim my dear son ? is he a pleasant child ?...spake against him I do earnestly remember him still." " As one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you." " I will not leave you orphans (Greek),...

...pleasant child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still : therefore My 253 bowels are troubled for him ; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord ' (xxxi. 20). If such is the forbearance and compassion of Heaven as declared in the Old Testament,...