sures; but they never scruple, to the pleasures of the passing age. not deceive themselves. He who

indulge in all

But let them

gives but half

a heart to God, will soon give the whole to the world. God himself, will reject such a gift. He is a jealous God: himself declares it; and the course of his providence is a commentary on his declaration. The ways, indeed, of providence, are not, in this mortal life, thoroughly disclosed; but whatever may be doubtful, thus much is certain, and it demands our most serious attention,—that many, who began life well; many, who, in the season of youth and manhood, gave promise of a virtuous, and good old age, have lived, but to devote that old age, to the dregs of an exhausted world. And why? Because, they never gave themselves fully to God; because, they suffered worldly cares, to usurp the place of religious watchfulness; because, they allowed the deceitfulness of riches, to wean their hearts from those treasures, which endure for ever; which neither moth nor rust can corrupt; and which thieves cannot break through, and steal. Riches once amassed, and trusted in; riches, whether amassed or not, once made the object of anxiety,-all Christian seriousness must perish. The love of money will increase, or a superannuated love of

pleasure will supplant it; and he who feared God in his youth, will thus fail to serve God in his age and that offended God will, at length, reluctantly withdraw the lingering spirit of his grace.

My brethren, let it be our wish and prayer, that no such thorns may choke the seeds of religion in our hearts: and, in order that our prayers may be successful, let us determine, through God's grace, to give our whole hearts, to him who is their rightful owner. Let us not, like Ananias and Sapphira, keep back any part of our treasure ; and the whole will be repaid us, an hundred and a thousand-fold.

IV. This is that good part, so beautifully described, in the fourth division of the parable.

"But other fell into good ground; and brought forth fruit, some an hundred-fold, some sixtyfold, some thirty-fold." Here, all the circumstances are favourable; all contribute, to the growth of an abundant produce. The seed, is from God himself; the giver of every good and perfect gift: the soil, is unexceptionable in its quality; not beaten, and trodden into hardness; not covered with rocks, not pre-occupied by thorns and what is the consequence? The dew of the heavenly blessing descends upon it; the sunbeams of the Almighty prosper

it; the husbandman f Els may vi the best wheat; and there is joy, before the Lord of the harvest.

The explanation of the division. I dal pre in the words of our grations Mamers - Than 91 the good ground, are they, vile i at boot and good heart, having beard the word day ni and bring forth fruit, with patient fun those pious, wise, and humbe Crocas va. like Mary, Goose the poot past, vin on at there Redeemer's feet, and rejis, so fear te pranua words, which press out of 1.5 nout. whether openly, or it wenn virtue 11 private reading molk warny of the be tures, traNT

that seed by it is m

food by rig det ans

i

it, with interest? This day I have been entrusted with a talent and shall I lavish it in folly, or hide it in parsimony? No; I will, with God's grace, endeavour to trade upon it, so as to gain, if it were possible, another, and another talent; that so, at the end, I may be blessed with the invitation, given to each good and faithful servant of our Lord.'

Such is a profitable hearer of the word: his heart is honest; his intention is upright; and the blessing of his God, will prosper him, in all his ways. Such a man will not keep the word inactive in his memory: it will live, in his prayers; it will flourish, in his actions; it will shine forth, in his whole conduct and conversation; and men, seeing his good works, will glorify our Father, which is in heaven. He will bring forth fruit with patience. If his prayers should not seem to be immediately answered, he will persevere and faint not God's time, will be his time (3); and tribulation will become to him a blessing; and persecution, a triumph; and temptation, itself, through the grace of God, a strengthener of his holiness, and virtue. Not cold and insensible, like the first class of hearers; not shallow and unstable, like the second; not selfish and worldlyminded, like the third, his affections will be warm, his convictions deep, his devotedness en

tire. All that he learns in the church, he will produce in his family; not merely, in words, but in deeds; his fruit will abound; not only in his own good conduct, and conversation, but in the conduct and conversation, of those who are drawn to imitate his good example. In this world, he will be happy; for holiness is happiness: in the world to come, he will be supremely happy; for, having followed Christ on earth, he will be made like him in heaven; and, having brought forth fruit in his season, he will be planted for ever, in the paradise of God.

And now, my brethren, I intreat you, make to your own hearts, the application of what has been said; or rather, pray that God will make it for you. It is plain, and simple; but serious, also, and important; for it is bottomed, on the everlasting word of God; that word, by which we must stand or fall; that word, by which we must all, hereafter, be tried; that word, by which it will be pronounced, whether I have spoken, as a faithful minister; and whether you have listened, as attentive hearers. May God, of his infinite mercy, grant, that, in that day, we shall meet each other, with joy, at his judgment-seat : and bear a good mutual testimony; and be invited, each in our several ranks, and degrees, to "enter into the joy of our Lord." And, in