But, when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had
compassion, and ran, and embraced him, and kissed him tenderly,
and, restoring him to his former rank, made a feast of joyaunce
because his son was found again, and killed the fatted calf. Lo,
this parable, that Jesus spake to us, concerneth such as turn
again from sin, and fall at his feet in repentance. Again, he
representeth a certain good shepherd that had an hundred sheep,
and, when one was lost, left the ninety and nine, and went forth
to seek that which was gone astray, until he found it: and he
laid it on his shoulders, and folded it with those that had not
gone astray, and called together his friends and neighbours to a
banquet, because that it was found. `Likewise,' saith the
Saviour, `joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth,
more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no
repentance.'

"And, in sooth, even the chief of the disciples, Peter, the Rock
of the Faith, in the very season of the Saviour's Passion,
failing for a little while in his stewardship, that he might
understand the worthlessness and misery of human frailty, fell
under the guilt of denial. Then he straightway remembered the
Lord's words, and went out and wept bitterly, and with those hot
tears made good his defeat, and transferred the victory to his
own side. Like a skilful man of war, though fallen, he was not
undone, nor did he despair, but, springing to his feet, he
brought up, as a reserve, bitter tears from the agony of his
soul; and straightway, when the enemy saw that sight, like a man
whose eyes are scorched with a fierce flame, he leaped off and
fled afar, howling horribly. So the chief became chief again, as
he had before been chosen teacher of the whole world, being now