we can derive no benefit, no comfort, no blessedness whatever from the Christian religion; and, if it is no less clear, (and no person, it is presumed, will deny it to be so,) that pride and prejudice were at first, and still continue to be, very considerable obstacles to such compliance;-how infinitely does it concern us to guard against both; or if, in looking into ourselves, we discover that we have in any degree been infected by them; to mortify the one, and lay aside the other, and to cultivate with the utmost care and assiduity that humility, candour, and diffidence which the text points out, as necessary qualifications for admission into the kingdom of Christ.

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But, secondly, being poor in spirit," implies also contentedness in regard to the things of this world. Worldly-mindedness, therefore, or an excessive care and restless anxiety about what relates to our external condition and circumstances, must be considered, and is, in fact, found to be no less unfavourable than pride and prejudice to a right and cordial reception of Christian truth.

The intimations of Scripture are so express and frequent upon this head, that little need be said respecting it. If we place our chief happiness in temporal things, to obtain them will be our chief concern to the neglect of more important objects; or, in the words of our Lord, "Where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also." Persons of this character are so immersed in business, or in pleasure, or so absorbed in schemes of ambition, that

they have little leisure and less inclination to attend to any thing of a spiritual or a religious nature; or, should they happen to hear the word, and to be convinced by it, that a compliance with its dictates is both their duty and their true interest, the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches prevent its permanent efficacy, and they become unfruitful.

There is the greater danger from this quarter: that care and industry for the supply of our wants, for improving our condition, and for advancing ourselves into consideration are, so far from being unlawful, that they are highly commendable, and perfectly consistent with Christian virtue; nay, were we to neglect these objects, we should fail to perform a very important duty. But what we consider, and really is, a virtuous pursuit, is exceedingly apt to degenerate into a criminal love of the world; and should that unfortunately happen, which it most probably will if we do not guard against it by a frequent and serious consideration of the just value of things, we shall then either fall entirely from religion, or, in order to quiet our consciences as much as possible, resolve upon the vain and foolish attempt of dividing our hearts and our services between God and mammon. What our Saviour says upon this subject might be sufficient to satisfy us of the necessity of the most unremitting care and caution against the danger arising from the captivating and enslaving nature of temporal things; but what is called success in life is generally considered an object of such paramount importance that, in the ardent pursuit

of it, the kingdom of heaven is forgotten. A method of proceeding completely the reverse of that enjoined by our Lord, namely, "to seek first, and principally, the kingdom of God and his righteousness," and to look upon all other things as objects only of secondary consideration.

And it may be proper to add upon this subject, that, though the poor may be apt to suppose themselves exempted by their situation and circumstances, from the danger of which we are speaking, they are not entirely so. They are not perhaps so much exposed to it as the rich, and those of elevated rank; but, still it is possible for them to be, and, I fear, there are too many instances of their being, worldlyminded, and full of discontent, a temper plainly inconsistent with that poverty of spirit, to which the blessings of the Gospel are promised :-so that all ranks have the greatest need frequently and seriously to consider, what manner of spirit they are of, and without delay to set about correcting whatever they find in it unsuitable to the spirits and precepts of that religion, by which they hope to be saved.

We profess to be persuaded, that Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness, is to us the wisdom and the power of God. But this profession must be worse than unprofitable to us, unless, in good earnest, and in the strength of God's grace, which will assuredly be imparted to such as sincerely ask it, we set about casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and

bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

And, that this may be done effectually; it would appear absolutely necessary, that, dismissing prejudice, and influenced by no consideration whatever, but the love of truth, we should consider candidly and seriously, what our religion really is, and what it requires of us; and then, that we should, by a careful and impartial self-inspection, ascertain whether, in time past, our temper and practice have been regulated by it. This is our wisest course, and what alone will lead to our obtaining an interest in the blessing promised to the "poor in spirit."

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،، Wherefore," (in the words of the Apostle James, i. 21—25.) “my beloved brethren, lay aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your ownselves. For, if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; for, he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein,-he, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

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SERMON XX.

ON THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER.

MATTH. XIII. 3-8.

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow, &c.

THE method of teaching by parable is, and has always been, very common in all the countries of the East; and, considering the advantages which attend this method, it is no wonder that we find our Saviour making abundant use of it. Those who would pay little or no attention to a doctrine or precept delivered in direct terms, will listen to a story. Truth thus addressed to the fancy, makes a deeper impression, dwells longer in the memory, and therefore, more likely to produce its proper effect, than when it is simply proposed to the understanding. In this engaging form, our Saviour conveyed the most important information respecting the nature of his kingdom, and also every kind of practical instruction in regard to the conduct to be observed, and the dis