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thren, whom I with pleasure behold assembled here in arms on this important

day. As ye have nobly stood forth to repel, when the occasion may call upon you, the attempts of our foreign and domestic enemies, and to assert the rights of your Sovereign and his people; actuated as you are by the spirit of patriotism, and fired with the zeal that animates the generous lover of his country;-go on, and persevere in your virtuous undertaking; continue to be the faithful guardians of those laws, under whose protection only ye are free; be ready to support the pillars of that constitution whose comforts you actually feel, whose blessings you truly enjoy, under the auspices of a beloved monarch, whose virtues you know and admire;have the praises of God in your mouths, and a two-edged sword in your hands, to avert the miseries of war-restore to your own, and the nations around, the blessings of a glorious and lasting peace. When

this most desirable end shall be accom

plished, the wishes of your Sovereign shall be fully complete, and his people happy; then shall his enemies be clothed with shame, and upon himself shall his crown flourish. Now to Him that giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ be all honour and glory now and for ever.

SERMON XXXII.

PARABLE OF THE SOWER.

ST. MATTHEW, CHAP. Xiii. VER. 18. Hear ye therefore the Parable of the Sower.

THERE is scarce any doctrine delivered to us in the Holy Scripture more calculated for the general good of mankind, than the instruction here conveyed to us in the Parable of the Sower-in whatever light we view it, whether as speaking comfort to our souls, or awakening our fears, it is equally deserving the most serious attention; for it must afford some consolation

to us to be assured that there remains no obstacle to salvation, if we are truly desirous to be saved; that the great impediments to the gospel arise from our own sin and corruption of heart; and therefore it is neither from the Sower nor the seed, but from ourselves only, that all unfruitfulness must proceed; on the other hand, it cannot but alarm our fears to reflect, that we shall have nothing to urge in our defence on the day of trial, if we suffer not the seed to produce good fruit; since it must evidently be imputed to our own inattention, or preference of the cares, the riches, and pleasures of this world. That we may be better enabled to avoid its terrors, and partake of its comforts, I shall endeavour to explain the different parts of this parable, and form some conclusion from the whole; but first, it may be necessary to observe, that by the seed is meant the word of God, and he that soweth it, is the Son of Man, who

came at the fulness of time to instruct mankind in his own person, adapting himself to their nature and faculties, that no possible means might be wanting to render his gospel acceptable and effectual. This word he scattered upon all nations and kingdoms, not confining it to any particular country or sect, but dispensing it universally to all mankind; first, by the extraordinary influence of his own spirit and power, and afterwards by establishing a perpetual succession of those who should be the faithful interpreters of his holy religion.

Though it is natural to suppose that the divine precepts of our Saviour could not fail of their desired effect, yet it plainly appears, that something is still wanting to crown his labours with success. This cannot be imputed to the gospel itself, which was the word of God, evidently formed to promote the general happiness

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