Now that son of his that had always continued with him, and followed his business, and observed him diligently, (parallel to whom is the just person that never run the prodigal's course, and so needs no repentance,) was in the field— to celebrate his safe return with a time of feasting. So he that undertakes to be a Christian must resolve to renounce all that is most precious to him in this world, or else he will not be able to hold out, and so had better never pretend to that profession. A Christian is the salt of the earth, (Matt. v. 13,) of infinite use and benefit to all with whom he converseth, being an example of purity and other virtues, whereof Christianity is made up; but if he shall fail in the exercise of these, prove earthy, heavy, and insipid, without any active stirring quality, like to those bodies whose salt is drawn from them, he is utterly destroyed and perished.