Having advanced thus far in our contemplation of the objects in the parable, we naturally direct our vision towards the two parties whom the parable represents as conversing with each other. These two are the owner of the vineyard, and the dresser or manager of it; he to whom the care of the vineyard had been entrusted by its owner. The owner says to his servant: "Behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." Now it is evident, indeed the testimony of Isaiah has already assured us of it, that the owner of the vineyard is none other than the Lord of Hosts-God Almighty the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, blessed for evermore. And if God Almighty be the owner, who can be the dresser, the nurturer of the vineyard, other than Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son, the Saviour of the world, and the Mediator between God and man? Man, brethren, both individually and collectively, positively and by comparison, is a barren and unfruitful fig tree. In respect of this fig tree, as it represents too many individuals, does God Almighty, the owner of the vineyard, come year after year seeking fruit and finding none: and the inscrutable wisdom, and the undeviating justice of God, condemns this fig tree to be cut down, the unprofitable servant to be destroyed and cast into outer darkness; but Christ,

who is ever seated at God's right hand making intercession for us, Christ our only Mediator and Advocate, comes forward; the impending blow is averted, and time is granted for repentance!

Thus, as I have already hinted, is the parable before us to be regarded as an explanation of those exhortations contained in the address of our Lord which immediately preceded it. Vast numbers are there lamentable as is the confession-vast numbers are there, I do not mean beyond the boundaries of our land of promise, but within the precincts of this heavenly Canaan, who are permitted to survive, to whom time is granted for repentance, though the fate of the slaughtered Galileans, or of the eighteen ill-fated inhabitants of Jerusalem, or of the condemned fig tree, might most assuredly have befallen them as a just recompense of their offences! When, therefore, you behold those sudden casualties which oftentimes you do behold; when you witness those unexpected and unforeseen calamities by which the persons of your friends or acquaintance are affected; by which, perhaps, your nearest relatives are wafted from this troublesome world into another, it may be of happiness and life, it may be of misery and death; when you behold such occurrences and such events, do not too inquisitively examine into the question, whether the objects of these catastrophes were greater or less sinners than yourselves and others who have been left behind, but rather regard such things as proofs that some most serious and awful fate, most assuredly in the next world, and

very, very probably even in this, will befall those who, though sinners, yet fail to repent; who, though fostered and encouraged, yet like a barren and useless fig tree, go on year after year producing no fruit, and thereby disappoint the owner and the dresser of the vineyard, the Lord who made them, and him who hath redeemed, and is continually interceding for them.

May God Almighty, for the sake of Jesus Christ, and by the aid and co-operation of his Divine Spirit, impress these truths deeply and indelibly upon you; and may the impression thus produced be the means of supporting you amidst the dangers of this world, and of advancing you prosperously and successfully towards that termination of your earthly pilgrimage which will be followed, and immediately followed, by an admission into the kingdom of heaven. As a consolation under the afflictions which, as mortals, we are oftentimes called upon to undergo, it is to be remembered that nothing whatever can happen, can take place, without the express permission of God; and that as He can turn every thing to the best account, and can even bring good out of evil, while we rejoice in prosperity, even adversity itself need not be without its attendant blessings. To the faithful disciple of Jesus, to him who is accustomed and who is willing to entrust every thing to the providential and superintending care of Divine Wisdom, even the greatest misfortunes, those I mean which would be regarded as such by the superficial and the unthinking, must appear consolatory, and subjects

of congratulation and delight. Inasmuch, therefore, as you have the word of God which assures you of these things, accustom yourselves to reflect upon them, so as to apply them to your present comfort, and your everlasting happiness. Place, brethren, but your trust in God, and endeavour by those means which the Gospel points out, to follow the example of Christ, and to listen to his instructions, and then, though as mortals your sufferings will indeed be either of greater or less extent, yet as Christians will they redound to your everlasting advantage. But further reflect, that by perseverance in sin, nothing less than consequences the most indescribable, and the most disastrous, can be expected!

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And here I would urge you frequently to recall to your minds the following words of the parable which so aptly represent the gracious intercession which Christ is ever making for you, and the strenuous and persevering efforts of his Holy Spirit your behalf: "Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." While, therefore, you regard the gracious intercession of your Redeemer with gratitude and admiration, and as a stimulus to perseverance in the work of your salvation, do not deceive yourselves by supposing that this merciful interference is without limits, and that of itself, unaccompanied by any efforts on your part, it will secure your pardon and acceptance with God hereafter.

Such a delusion would be indeed as dangerous as it is not uncommon, and contrary to those Holy Scriptures which have been written for our learning, and which, as explained by our Lord himself in his well known sermon on the Mount, assure us that men as well as trees are known by their fruits; and that "every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire."

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