reward0," " an everlasting life p," which shall be reaped as the fruit of what we now sow. The tears we shed are all treasured up with care in the vial of our heavenly Father : every sigh, and every groan, shall be remembered before him ; and shall add to that abundant and eternal weight of glory which we shall then receive. And who can estimate those " sheaves which we shall then 'bring with us ?" How will all our sorrows vanish in an instant, and be turned into unutterable joy (1 ! Let us then look forward to that time, and " not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."]
Address —
1. To those who have never known any seed-time
like this —
[Is there not occasion enough for you to weep ? Think how you have neglected your God and Father ; how you have trampled on the blood of Christ your Saviour : and how you have resisted the motions of the Holy Spirit in your hearts ! Think too, how you have made the very consideration of God's mercy and forbearance an occasion of more boldness in trans- gressing against him! This, independent of any gross acts of sin, is sufficient to make your head a fountain of tears to run clown day and night for your iniquities. " Be afflicted, then, and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourn- ing, and your joy into heaviness ; humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up r."]
2. To those who are daily sowing in tears — [Possibly, some may be discouraged, because they do not
reap so soon as they expected. But, if this be the case, let them examine whether they do indeed " sorrow after a godly sort :" and, if they have the testimony of a good conscience in this respect, let them wait patiently, as the husbandman s, for " doubtless they shall come again with rejoicing:" joy and glad- ness are sown for them, and shall spring up in due season '. Let them be contented to "go on their way " weeping, even though the way be ever so long; for tears are a seed " precious" unto God, and they shall bring a glorious harvest at the last.]
0 2 John, ver. 8. p Gal. vi. 8. °> Isai. xxx. 10.
r Jam. iv. 9, 10. s Jam. v. 7. l Ps. xcvii. 11.