talent committed to us. But henceforth let us awake to our duty, and no longer hide our talent in a nap- kin. Let us remember, that " where much has been given, much will be required ;" and that if we labour not for these riches, we only deceive our own souls : for " where our treasure is, there will our heart be also."
Isai. xxxiii. 16. He shall dwell on high: Ms place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks : bread shall be given him; his tvaters shall be sure,
WE cannot judge of men's moral state by the dispensations of God's providence towards them. Among the Jews indeed virtue was inculcated and enforced chiefly by temporal sanctions ; and their national prosperity or adversity bore a very manifest reference to their national conduct. In some degree also the same observation will extend to individuals among them. But to us, under the Gospel, God has not bound himself to distinguish his favourites by any temporal advantages. Nevertheless, what the pious Jews enjoyed visibly in relation to their bodies, that the obedient Christian shall enjoy invisibly in his soul.
To enter properly into the subject before us, we must consider,
I. The character to whom the promise is made —
This appears clearly in the two preceding verses ; in one of which it is implied, and in the other it is clearly expressed :
1. He is sincere in his profession of religion — [The greater part of the Jews were " sinners in Zion, and hypocrites ;" and they had good reason to tremble for their approaching calamities. The person spoken of in the text is placed in direct opposition to them : he really belongs to Zion, and to Zion's God : he does not make religion a cloak for habitual and indulged lusts ; or profess what he does not ex- perience: if he implore mercy as a "miserable sinner;" and declare his trust in the mere " mercy of God through Christ Jesus ;" and desire " that he may henceforth live a sober,