and not feel sorrow and shame as he looks at the state of Christendom, must be in a very unhealthy state of soul.
We learn, first, from this passage, that where Ood gives spiritual privileges He eocpects proportionate returns.
Our Lord teaches this lesson by comparing the Jewish Church of His day to a "fig tree planted in a vineyard." This was exactly the position of Israel in the world. They were separated from other nations by the Mosaic laws and ordinances, no less than by the situation of their land. They were favoured with revelations of God, which were granted to no other people. Things were done for them which were never done for Egypt, or Nineveh, or Babylon, or Gbeece, or Eome. It was only just and right that they should bear fruit to God's praise. It might reasonably be expected that there would be more faith, and penitence, and holiness, and godliness in Israel than among the heathen. This is what God looked for. The owner of the fig tree "came seeking fruit.'*
But we must look beyond the Jewish Church if we mean to get the fiill benefit of the parable before us. — We must look to the Christian Churches. They have light, and truth, and doctrines, and precepts, of which the heathen never hear. How great is their responsibility ! Is it not just and right that God should expect from tbem "fruit?" — We must look to our own hearts. We live in a land of Bibles, and liberty, and Gospel preach- ing. How vast are the advantages we enjoy compared to the Chinese and Hindoo I Never let us forget that God expects from us " fruit."
These are solemn truths. Few things are so much forgotten by men as the close connexion between privilege