unprepared, as if it mattered not in what way such work was done. Let us carry with us faith, reverence, and prayer. If these three are our companions, we shall hear with profit, and return with praise.
We learn, finally, from these verses, the great pritUeges of those who hear the word of God, and do it. Our Lord Jesus Christ declares that He regards them as his "mother and his brethren."
The man who hears the word of God, and does it, is the true Christian. He hears the call of God to repent and be converted, and he obeys it. He ceases to do evil, and learns to do well. He puts off the old man, and puts on the new. — ^He hears the call of God to believe on Jesus Christ for justification, and he obeys it. He for- sakes his own righteousness, and confesses his need of a Saviour. He receives Christ crucified as his only hope, and counts all things losa for the knowledge of Him. — He hears the call of God to be holy, and he obeys it. He strives to mortify the deeds of his body, and to walk after the Spirit. He labours to lay aside every wdght, and the sin that so easily beseta him. — ^This is true vital Christianity. All men and women who are of this cha- racter are true Christians.
Now the troubles of all who ** hear the word of God and do if are neither few nor smalL The world, the flesh, and the devil continually vex them. They often groan, being burdened. (2 Cor. v. 4.) They often find the cross heavy, and the way to heaven rough and narrow. They often feel disposed to cry with St. Paul, " wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Rom. vii. 24.)