4. The _second_ heart, which is that of a repenting sinner, is set forth in these words: “How many hired servants of my Father have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise, and go to my Father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee; and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” In this account we have a very moving description of true repentance. By the Prodigal’s coming to himself, is signified sorrow for sin; that is, when a man, on the one hand, reflects upon his own misery, and considers how, from being a child of God, he is become, as it were, a brute beast (2 Pet. 2:12), an unclean swine, a man void of reason, earthly and sensual; and, on the other, mindful of his divine origin, turns his thoughts entirely upon his Father, repents, acknowledges his offences, and says, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee;” and have offended both God and man. This he immediately confirms by a sincere contempt of himself, expressed in these words: “and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” Moreover, _faith_, which is the other part of repentance, is exhibited to us in his actual _arising_ and _returning_ to his father’s house. He assumed confidence to repair to his home, and firmly persuaded himself that his father would receive him, if not as a son, at least as one of his hired servants. “For,” says he, “I am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants.” This plainly shows the sure hope he entertained, that his father would yield to his entreaties, and receive him into his favor. 5. And now I come, _thirdly_, to draw the character of the paternal heart of God, set forth in the parable. I. _When the son was yet a great way off, his father saw him._ Behold the prevenient mercy of our Heavenly Father, who graciously looks for his prodigal children. Ps. 79:8; Isa. 30:18, 19; Ps. 32:8. II. _And was moved with compassion._ Hereby is represented his mercy waiting to be gracious to us. III. _And ran and fell on his neck._ Here is mercy receiving into favor. IV. _And kissed him._ This exhibits mercy ready to administer consolation to the returning sinner. Micah 7:19; Isa. 66:13. V. _Bring forth, says he, the best robe, and put it on him_ (Isa. 61:10). This has relation to Christ, and points out his righteousness, and _justifying_ grace. Rom. 8:33. VI. _And put a ring on his hand._ Hereby is signified the Holy Spirit, the pledge of sonship (Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:5), the seal of intimate favor and union; and it also represents to us the espousing mercy of the Lord. VII. _And shoes on his feet._ This denotes a new and holy walk in Christ, resulting from the Divine power, and the grace of the Holy Spirit; which are the peculiar effects of preserving mercy. 1 Peter 1:5; Ps. 84:11.