saving effect, or impression. None but those who are converted, know what it is to perceive and understand. They know too, that once they did not.

12. And their sins should be forgiven them.

Remission of sins, through the blood of Christ, is one of the great mysteries of the kingdom of God, which is happily opened to us; and it is the great end of his teaching, and of our hearing, that we may see and consider our danger and misery in sin, and come to Jesus, in repentance, for forgiveness.

13. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

He in effect says to us, this parable is comparatively easy; and withal so necessary to be known, that if we do not enter into the true spirit of it, so as to become obedient hearers, we shall hardly understand anything else.

14. The sower soweth the word.

Christ, and his ministers under him.

15. And these are they by the way-side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Do

In the turn of a thought; it may be while I am speaking it. He knows what all hearts are without the word. you know it too? Be upon your guard against Satan; and hold it fast, as you love your souls. He has no power to take it away, but just so far as you are willing to let it go.

16. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

We may have nothing to say against the word; nay, be pleased with it, and think well of our state because we hear it with some degree of delight, and yet have no soundness or root of a true life in us. If it enters deep into our hearts, lays us low in our own eyes, and brings us to faith.

in Christ, this is a good foundation, and will abide the trial.

17. And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

These observations show the influence of religion, which obtains wherever the gospel is preached with success. These persons bid fair, while supported by the influence arising from riches, power, and worldly success; but when these are withdrawn from the church, those who seemed to love religion for its own sake are offended, and forsake the martyrs and confessors of the Saviour. Such seasons of trial will come upon the church in every age and place; and then the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.— Edit.

18. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Here is ruin and destruction plainly set before us; and the most general and fatal cause of men's not profiting by the word: the world chokes it. Not only the sinful pleasures of it, but its cares and occupations. How many are caught in this snare! how common is it for men to make their business an excuse for not saving their souls! and how few set themselves in good earnest to root out these choking thorns!

20. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Awakened, believing, steady souls, who have discovered the natural deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of their hearts, come to Christ for healing by his blood, and in the Holy Spirit's power keep close to him in obedience. These are the hearers whom God approves.

All true believers do not bring forth the same measure of fruit, yet all according to their capacities and opportunities; and the measure of the Spirit given unto them. Inquire not whether others have more or less fruit than yourself, but consider what you can and ought to do.

SECTION XIII.

Chap. iv. ver. 21-29.

DIVINE KNOWLEDGE IS TO BE COMMUNICATED: PARABLE OF THE GROWING SEED, AND ITS FULL MATURITY.

21. And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

22. For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

As if he had said, you have now the explanation of the parable; hide it not within yourselves, but let others have the benefit of your knowledge: and moreover let it not lie dead within you, without some fruit appearing, but let your light shine out, for the benefit of those among whom you live.

23. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Let him hear with profit to himself, and in order to impart to others what he hears and knows.

24. And he saith unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Do not let that you hear lie useless or unimproved for your own and others' benefit.

The increase of gifts and grace will be according to the improvement we make of our attainments and opportunities of benefiting the souls of others. In these things, "he that withholdeth more than is meet, it tendeth to

poverty:" but he who layeth himself out to serve the Lord Christ, shall have more ability to help forward his kingdom, and to secure his own salvation.-Edit.

25. For he that hath,

He that uses and diligently labours to improve what he possesses, for the good of himself and his fellow-creatures, 25. To him shall be given:

A greater abundance now, and in the world to come much more than he can conceive.

25. And he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

That which he hath had given him, but lets it lie idle, and contrary to the design of its being given him. The man who keeps it to himself, shall not long have it for himself, to any saving purpose: what he hath shall be taken from him. It is a very important lesson which is taught in these verses, namely, that the way to keep and increase what we learn in the school of Christ, is to communicate it to others. 26. And he said, So is the kingdom of God,

This is plainly not his eternal kingdom in heaven, but his kingdom of grace upon earth; which embraces his power and work in the souls of men. The parable teaches

us that we must sow the seed, or receive it into our hearts when Christ sows it; and that is all we can do, the rest is God's work.

26. As if a man should cast seed into the ground;

In hopes of a crop, and with earnest desire to see his work prosper. Sow thus for your souls; and sow you must, or else nothing is to be looked for. Those who do not sow will never reap.

27. And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

Leave all quietly, and securely to God. So it is in our spiritual husbandry. Till and sow, hear the word, and

VOL. II.

D

open and prepare your hearts to receive it, and you may rise up and lie down in peace. If your wills and prayers are with God, for the growth of it, the harvest will certainly follow in his appointed time.

28. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

This is brought to pass, not without man's endeavours; but without his power, and in a way unknown to him. So is grace in the heart, the work is going forward in God's hands, but in a manner secret to us as the growth of the corn. Blast it not thyself, and God surely will not. It may have many a stop, and perish at the last; but whose fault is it ?*

29. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

God knows his time of reaping, and will not stay a day too long. Let us but be fit for it, and then we need not care how soon it comes. In the book of the Revelation, xiv. 18, there is mention made of two sickles, one to reap the harvest, namely, God's children; the other to reap the vintage, namely, the wicked, for condemnation. You have the choice of the two sickles: may God prepare you for the right one!

*This sentence shows the opinion of Mr. Adam in the year 1757. I am inclined to think that Mr. Adam did not altogether maintain the abstract doctrine of the final extinction of grace in the heart where it had been implanted by the Holy Spirit. The Rev. R. Storry says, Mr. Adam held both "election and perseverance in a way of his own."-Edit.