they got this honest and good heart. One thing, however, we know-for the Scriptures have declared it—that there is no man who possesses by nature such an heart." The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked," saith Jeremiah; directly denying the possibility of such a heart, as this parable speaks of. The one calls it "deceitful". the other, "honest:" the one uses the epithet "good"-the other says, "desperately wicked." How shall we reconcile this apparent contradiction? The fact is, that the prophet refers to the natural, unrenewed heart of man; while Jesus is speaking of a heart under the influence of Divine grace. That influence, wherever it exists, is a quickening and ennobling influence. The man who possesses it is a new man—“ born again of the Spirit "-renewed in all the faculties of his soul, though the change is not at once complete and perfect. It gives him, however, an ear for the word of God, for the Gospel of Christ, such as is found in none who are destitute of his Spirit.— Hence there is, secondly,

2. A difference in the Reception given to the seed sown; that is, to the word of salvation. The honest and good heart, "having heard the word, keeps it"-lays hold of it, embraces it with earnestness, and fears to be deprived of it. (All this is implied in the original term, xaréxe.) It is the reception enjoined by the Wise man-"Take fast hold of Instruction, let her not go; keep her, for

she is thy life." It is the reception given by a drowning man to the life-boat: he feels that his all depends upon his clinging to it.

3. There is a difference in the Growth, also, where the seed falls upon an honest and good heart. It germinates, not hastily, as where neither root nor moisture are found; not irregularly, and amidst perpetual resistance, as where thorny cares, deceitful riches, and ensnaring pleasures choke it; but "with patience"-progressively, uniformly-expecting and receiving the periodical supplies from above, "the early rain and the latter rain in their season." Such is the growth of the genuine believer; marked by no sudden improvements or glaring interruptions—but patiently, yet perseveringly, resisting the combined influence of Satan, the world, and the flesh, and gradually becoming victorious over them all, " through him that hath loved us."-The most important peculiarity, however, is,

4. A difference in the Fruit produced. What that is likely to be, in the regenerate heart, may be anticipated from the character of that blessed Spirit, who has made it what it is. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." These are the dispositions which grow up, in the soul that "meekly receives the engrafted word." It hears of repentance for sin-and it becomes truly penitent. It is invited to seek

peace, by a stedfast reliance on the sacrifice of Christ it seeks that peace, and finds it. It is directed to study the honour of God, by doing all things to his glory-and the soul exclaims, "The love of Christ constraineth me!" "How should I, that am dead to sin, live any longer therein?" No-I will "henceforth live, not unto myself, but unto him that died for me and rose again?", Nor are these merely vain and empty resolutions. While, one after another, self-deceivers and hypocrites are shewing the worthlessness of faith without works, the genuine Christian shews his faith by his works: till at length those works follow him to a better world, to tell that the seed of the Gospel" fell on good ground," and has at length, to the glory of God's grace, 66 brought forth an hundred-fold.”

We have thus, my brethren, gone over the principal points in this instructive parable. If its meaning were doubtful before, (which was not the case,) you can no longer plead that you do not understand it. But what has been the effectthe "fruit "—of this fresh sowing of God's word among you? Oh, Conscience, Conscience, do thine office! Take these four pictures-hold them up to each individual in the congregation—and bid him say, which of them is his own likeness. Remind him, that there are, at the least, three ways in which he may perish, and but one in which he

can be saved. Tell him, that the solemn warning comes from a most compassionate Saviour. And oh, may he so hearken to it, so 'mark, learn, and inwardly digest it, that, by patience and comfort of God's holy word, he may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life!'

86

SERMON VI.

GENESIS XLII. 21-24.

And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? Therefore, behold, also his blood is required. And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.

Ir is interesting to examine the various parts of some curious and intricate machinery, and to observe how every pin, spring, wheel, or weight, while performing only its own specific office, is yet contributing to the execution of the artist's design, and the display of his skill. It is still