liarity in his worldly condition. "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven."* The design of the gospel, is evidently to restore man to God, and to regulate his heart and life; and they who do not receive it in this view, have yet much to learn and experience on the subject of personal religion. Thus saith St. Paul, "For not the hearers of law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."+ "Wherefore lay apart 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. 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." Observe,

But

III. THE DISPOSITIONS OF MIND NECESSARY FOR THE DUE RECEPTION AND PRACTICE OF THE TRUTH. And here I remark,

First. That we must exercise an holy vigilance against

Col. iii. 22-25. chap. iv. 1.

+ Rom. ii. 13.

James i. 21-25.

whatever may prove an obstacle. Among the stumbling blocks to a profitable attendance on the ministry of the word, and its exemplification in the various relation of life, we place custom. It is much to be feared, that many are present at the preaching of the gospel from no higher motive. They have been taught to regard such an act as necessary to good order and decency; and hence they will attend the house of God. Persons, however, of this description, are always satisfied if they have exhibited themselves once or twice on the Sabbath in the sanctuary. To worship their Maker "in spirit and in truth" was not the object that attracted them; they, therefore, pass through the service as a matter of course; and, when it is closed, are wholly unedified by its performance. Another hindrance, is a spirit of curiosity, or what the apostle terms "itching ears." This is the motive that actuates numbers who wander from one place to another, and are satisfied with no minister for a month together. They have never learnt to practice the apostolic caution: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Others are too wise, and too much addicted to attempt to criticise the sermon, or the manner of the man of God who delivers it, to profit by the word itself. Such persons will bring every expression to the bar of their orthodoxy, and, with inquisitorial scrutiny, they will examine, and condemn, every term and phrase which may not be in exact agreement with their theological niceties. Eager to detect, and impatient to convict, others of error, the only fruit they gather on the Sabbath is selfcomplacency, and the confirmation of their ignorance! Ah, my beloved hearers, these dispositions are dangerous snares to the soul, and have, doubtless, proved the utter destruction of many. Let it be your care, therefore,

Secondly. To cherish whatever may be likely to promote the due reception of the gospel. And here I mention the freedom of the mind from worldly entanglements. If you come to the house of God full of the business of this life, there will be no room for the word to enter; and if it should obtain admission it will never produce any permanent good." And that which fell among thorns are they which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection."* Next to this, there must be the reverence of the truth. Its explanation and enforcement is the object of the ministry of the word; and to obtain its knowledge and benefit will be the desire of every serious hearer. Every promise unfolded-every threatning denounced—every doctrine explained—and every duty inculcated from the Bible, should be received, not as the sentiments of the preacher, but the infallible counsels of revelation. It was after this manner that the Thessalonians embraced "the glorious gospel" of salvation. “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."+ There must be also docility, which an apostle calls "humbleness of mind." This is indispensable; for unwelcome truths, which are opposed to favourite tenets already espoused, will never be listened to with the impartial and unbiassed attention they deserve, if it be wanting. Away, therefore, with all lofty and supercilious imaginations of your own intellectual endowments, and bring every thought into obedience to Christ: thus you will "receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." It is the

testimony of the Great Founder of the gospel himself, "that except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."* Selfapplication is also necessary. Men should hear the word for themselves, and not for their neighbours; and consider that whatever is delivered regards their own condition as well as that to others. They should, therefore, apply it to their own benefit and instruction in righteousness; and never take one part that contains encouragement, and reject another that conveys reproof and correction; nor listen with pleasure to the doctrinal, while its practical, branches are disregarded, and perhaps unheard. Faith in the Son of God is also essential. Unless a man cordially believes what he hears, it will never be operative in his life. A sceptic, who is always doubting and reasoning, until he neither knows what he believes, or what he disbelieves, will not reduce to practice the truths of revealed religion, nor build his habitation on the Rock of Ages. Such a man is as miserable, as he is barren of all devout feeling, and vital godliness. To such an one we may apply the observation of an apostle, with respect to the admonitions delivered in vain to the Israelites in the desert: "The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."+ And finally, there must be constant prayer, for the assistance and blessing of the Holy Spirit, to sanctify the truth to the heart and conscience. There are so many hindrances, both from the world and ourselves, that unless we are under the blessing of the Most High, we shall never profit. Doubtless, if this were more earnestly desired, more comfort and edification would attend the hearing of "these sayings." "Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nigh unto you." Raise your heart in prayer to Him, through the mediation

of the Lord Jesus Christ; so will He enlighten your mind, cause the good seed of the kingdom to vegetate, and "make you that ye shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of" God your Saviour. Pray as you pass the threshold of the temple,-"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer." And when you retire, say, "O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their hearts unto thee." Let us proceed to notice, briefly,

IV. THE INVIOLABLE SAFETY OF SUCH HEARERS OF THE WORD.

Things affect and impress by figures and comparisons. To awaken a sincere desire to obey his precepts, the Saviour illustrates the importance of obedience by a similitude, which the audience could easily comprehend.

"

Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rains descended, and the flood came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock." In eastern countries, the rains often descend at certain seasons of the year for several successive days. Strong and rapid currents are, in consequence, collected in the glens which are formed by the mountains. These rush, with an overwhelming force, into the grounds below, and frequently spread devastation and ruin wherever they fall. In such a scene, the habitation that stood on the solid rock would alone be secure: the torrent would sweep away the building that rested on the sand, and both the house and the inhabitants would perish together. Such is the figure; and it supplies us with two reflections, with which I will close the present meditation.