2. Ill what a lamentable state are the generality of hearers —
[Multitudes, where the Gospel is preached with fidelity, will approve the word, and perhaps admire the preacher ; but they are apt to put those feelings in the place of true conver- sion*^. Surely this is a point that deserves to be well con- sidered. We should judge ourselves, not by our feelings towards the word, or towards him that ministers it to us, but by the radical and abiding effects produced upon our hearts and lives. Let it be a matter then of serious inquiry, Wherein does my reception of the word differ from that manifested by the auditors of our Lord ? Perhaps I have been often struck, yea, ** exceedingly struck '^j" with admiration and conviction; but have I been brought to the exercise of deep contrition, of lively faith, of universal holiness ? Know ye, beloved, that un- less the word have this effect upon you, instead of being to you " a savour of life unto life, it will be a savour of death unto death ;" yea, your state will be less tolerable than even that of Sodom and Gomorrha.]
3. What reason we have for thankfulness that we possess the written word —
[Many of Christ's hearers probably regretted that they could not retain his discourse in their memory, and that they had it not in their hands for subsequent perusal. And the generality amongst us have reason to lament our inability to remember what we hear, even when the discourse embraces perhaps only a single point of that which was so diffusively treated by our Lord. But, whether this forgetfulness is our misfortune or our fault, we have this consolation at least, that
<! Mark vi. 10. John v. 35. ^ i^eTrXvaffovro.