[What a mercy is it, that, when only a handful of corn is sown on the earth, some grains of it should fall on this barren spot ! And what a signal mercy if it have sprung up in our hearts ! And have we not reason to hope that this is indeed the case ? If we cannot boast of multitudes like the piles of grass, are there not sufficient to shew the virtue of the Gospel- seed, and the blessing of God upon the sowing of it ? Have not some attained a height and stability, and maintained their steadfastness against the united assaults of the world, the flesh, and the devil ? Let us then rejoice and be thankful to God for such distinguished blessings. And let us still shew ourselves to have been " planted in the house of the Lord by flourishing in the courts of our God."]
2. Hope respecting the future —
[The promise of God is sure, and shall be fulfilled in its season. We cannot but sfrieve when we see the barrenness of the field, and fewness of faithful labourers. But there is nothing imj^ossible with God. He can send forth labourers into his harvest, and give the most abundant success to the seed sown. Yea, he can overrule the most adverse circum- stances for the manifestation of his own glory. Let us wait upon him then in prayer, and cry from our inmost souls, " Thy kingdom come." Let us beg, " That the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified" throughout the workF. And let us look forward in certain expectation, that the " grain of mustard-seed shall become a great tree^," and that in due time " All shall know the Lord from the least to the greatest^."]
f 2 Thess. iii. 1. g Matt. xiii. 32. ^ Jer. xxxi. 34.