prophets, so shall ye prosper". But if ye will not believe, neither shall ye be established p.]
3. To believers in general —
[You will find that peace of mind, purity of heart, victory over the world, and indeed all that you hold dear, vary accord- ing to the weakness or stability of your faith. Beware then of ever " limiting the Holy One of Israel." Beg that " what is yet lacking in your faith may be perfected '5." And seek to become " strong in faith, giving glory to God."]
° 2 Chron. xx. 20. p Isai. vii. 9. i 1 Thess. ill. 10.
Matt. ix. 36 — 38. When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples. The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few ; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
IT is an honour to the present age, that religion has assumed her true character of diffusive benevo- lence. There is much going forward in the circulation of the Scriptures in the different languages of the world, and in the sending out of missions to every quarter of the globe. But, when I say that there is much going forward, I speak only comparatively with what has been done for ages past : for, in truth, all that is done at present is little more than a drop in the ocean. It is a comfort, however, to know, that the proper office of religion is better understood ; and that piety, which, till lately, has been circumscribed within the narrow limits of a man's own family, now comprehends in its efforts the whole family of man- kind. This was the religion which our Lord inculcated on his first disciples, and which, from the words before us, I will take occasion to recommend to you.
Let us then consider, I. The state of the world at large —
Doubtless our Lord spake primarily of the Jews,