heavenly places after death; for we shall have with us the Spirit of
God, whose presence is heaven; and as long as we are holy, good,
pure, unselfish, just, and merciful, we may be persuaded, with St.
Paul, that wheresoever we go, all will be well; for 'neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to
come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'



SERMON IX.--THE HUMANITY OF GOD



ST. LUKE xv. 7.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which
need no repentance.

There are three parables in this chapter: all agree in one quality--
in their humanity. God shows us in them that there is something in
his character which is like the best and simplest parts of our
characters. God himself likens himself to men, that men may
understand him and love him.

Why there should be more joy over the repenting sinner than over the
just man who needs no repentance, we cannot explain in words: but
our hearts tell us that it is true, beautiful; that it is reasonable,
though we can give no reason for it. You know that if you had lost a