bad was sure to come at last, but not before the end of tlie world. Such was the account which the great Master gave to His disciples of the churches which they were to found.
It is of the utmost importance to have the lessons of this parable deeply graven on our minds. There is hardly any point in Christianity on which greater mis- takes exist, than the nature of the visible Church. There is none, perhaps, on which mistakes are so peril- ous to the soul.
Let us learn from this parable, that all congregations of professed Christians ought to be regarded as mixed todies. They are all assemblies containing " good fish and bad," converted and unconverted, children of God and children of the world, and ought to be described and addressed as such. To tell all baptized people, that they are born again, and have the Spirit, and are members of Christ, and are holy, in the face of such a parable as this, is utterly unwarrantable. Such a mode of address may flatter and please. It is not likely to profit or save. It is painfully calculated to promote self-righteousness, and lull sinners to sleep. It overthrows the plain teaching of Christ, and is ruinous to souls. Do we ever hear such doctrine ? If we do, let us remember " the net."
Finally, let it be a settled principle with us, never to be satisfied with mere outward church-memhership. We may be inside the net, and yet not be in Christ. The waters of baptism are poured on myriads who are never washed in the water of life. The bread and wine are eaten and drunk by thousands at the Lord's table, who never feed on Christ by faith. Are we converted ? Are