to renew them again unto repentance ; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame11." Here it is evident, that not only does a neglect of talents prevent the increase of them ; but it causes them to be withdrawn, and brings an obduracy over the heart, and indis- poses it for the reception of any further blessings.]
2. In their graces — [On some, God has bestowed a measure of contrition, and faith, and love, and peace, and holiness : and we see, by the stony-ground hearers, what declension takes place in these graces, when the possessor of them becomes remiss in secret duties. He "leaves his first love1:" and " the things which remain in him are ready to die ; insomuch, that he may appear rather as one dead, than alive V Let any one call to mind those favoured seasons, when his heart was dissolved in tears of penitential sorrow, or elevated with joy under a sense of God's pardoning love : let him now say, Whether, after having lost them by neglect, he finds it an easy thing to regain them ? Rather let him say, Whether he be not in danger of having that realized, in his experience, which St. Peter has so awfully declared : " If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteous- ness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them1." A work of grace is not like the work of a statuary, which, if left for a season, will be found unchanged; but like a stone rolled up a hill, which, when the labour ceases, will descend to the bottom, and require all the work to be performed again.]
Well then, may we regard the words of our text,
III. As a lesson inculcated —
Surely there is much in these words,
1. For our warning —
[There is not any one of us who has not some talent committed to him : and for that, whether it be more or less, we are responsible. The man who had but one talent, did wrong to hide it in a napkin : and justly was it taken from him, and he was consigned to punishment, as an unprofitable servant. We must " look to ourselves, and diligently too, that we lose not the things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward"1." The Israelites who came out of
h Heb. vi. 4—6. I Rev. ii. 4. * Rev. iii. 1, 2.
1 2 Pet. ii. 20, 21. m 2 John, ver. 8.
1565.] Christ's enemies warned. 61
Egypt, and yet perished in the wilderness, are held forth to us as a warning to make a due improvement of the mercies we have received". Our Lord also bids us to "remember Lot's wife." To every one of you, then, I would say, Employ your time, and put forth all your powers, in the service of the Lord. This is to every one of you a day of grace, a day of salvation. The Gospel now sounds in your ears. The Saviour is pro- claimed to you in all the wonders of his love and mercy ; and not one of you that will call upon him, shall be rejected. On the other hand, if, like Capernaum, you are exalted in your privileges, like Capernaum, shall you also be distinguished by a heavier condemnation, if you abuse them.]
2. For our encouragement —
[If only we will engage diligently in the work assigned us, verily "our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord0." Hear what blessed encouragement is afforded us by an inspired Apostle : " Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue ; and to virtue, knowledge ; and to knowledge, temperance ; and to temperance, patience ; and to patience, godliness ; and to god- liness, brotherly-kindness ; and to brotherly-kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall not be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure : for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall ; but so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christp." What can any of us desire more than this ? We would not wish to have our own labours dispensed with : all that any of us can wish, is, to be assured that they shall be effectual to the desired end. In the name of Almighty God, then, I declare to all of you, that to him who will employ his talents " shall more be given, and he shall have abundance0' ;" abundance here, for more special improvement ; and abundance hereafter, as Ins recompence of reward r.]