to the point of giving up all for Christ's sake. They never make up their minds to " seek first the kingdom <3f Qod/'— and so die in thek sins.
These are points that we ought to weigh well. We should never forget that there are more ways than one of hearing the word without profit. It is not enough that we come to hear. We may come, and be careless.— It is not enough that we are not careless hearers. Our impressions maybe only temporary, and ready to perish. —It is not enough that our impressions are not merely temporary. But they may be continually yielding no result, in consequence of our obstinate cleaving to the world.— Truly " the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked : who can know it r (Jerem.
xvii. 9.) , , X, ^
In the last place, let us learn from this parable, that tliere is only one evidence of hearing the ivord rightly. That evidence is to bear fruit.
The fruit here spoken of is the fruit of the Spirit. Kepentance towards God, faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ, holiness of life and character, prayerfulness, hu- mility, charity, spiritual-mindedness— these are the only satisfiictory proofs that the seed of God's word is doing its proper work in our souls. Without such proofs, our religion is vain, however high our profession. It is no better than sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. Christ has said, " I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit." (John xv. 16.)
There is no part of the whole parable more important.^ than this. We must never be content with a barren orthodoxy, and a cold maintenance of correct theological
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views. We must not be satisfied with, clear knowledge, warm feelings, and a decent profession. We must see to it that the Gospel we profess to love, produces positive " fruit'' in our hearts and lives. This is real Christianity. Those words of St. James should often ring in our ears, " Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiv- ing your own selves/' (James i. 22.)
Let us not leave these verses without putting to our- selves the important question, " How do we hear ?" We live in a Christian country. We go to a place of worship Sunday after Sunday, and hear sermons. In what spirit do we hear them ? What efi'ect have they upon our characters ? Can we point to anything that deserves the name of " fruit ?''
We may rest assured that to reach heaven at last, it needs something more than to go to Church regularly on Sundays, and listen to preachers. The word of Grod must be received into our hearts, and become the mainspring of our conduct. It must produce practical impressions on our inward man, that shall appear in our outward behavior. If it does not do this, it will only add to our condemnation in the day of judgment.