be considered as having prejudices which may be increased by indiscretion, or undermined by a prudent exhibition of the GospeL St. Paul, though as far as any man from a want of zeal, was peculiarly attentive to this duty' ; and has left us instructions respecting it for the regulation of our own con- duct'". The end of the ministry is to convert and save the souls of men : and whatever is best adapted to that end, is most worthy of our pursuit. No one should conceal the truth through the fear of man ; nor should any one be backward to put a veil upon his face, when the brightness of it would defeat the end of his ministrations. Zeal and prudence should be duly combined in those to whom the care of souls is committed ; and if in this respect we imitate onr Lord and his Apostles, we may reasonably hope that we shall not run in vain, or labour in vain.]
1 Acts XX. 20. 1 Cor. iii. 1, 2. '" Heb. v. 12—14.
Matt. xiii. 18. Hear ye the parable of the sower,
THE word of God, by whomsoever delivered, makes a different impression on different people. When our Lord himself preached, his discourses did not carry conviction to all : nor did his Apostles find that all would receive the truths declared by them. Thus, in this day, there is a great diversity of effect produced among the hearers of the Gospel. Our Lord foretold that this would be the case in all ages of the Church. He compared " the word of his kingdom" to seed cast into different soils ; and the fruits resulting from it, to the various produce of the different grounds. In unfolding the parable of the Sower, we shall be led to notice,
L The way-side hearers —
There are two things wherein careless hearers resemble seed fallen by the way-side;
They ''hear the word without understanding" —
[They attend upon the ordinances merely in a customary manner. They do not go to hear with a view to obtain benefit to their souls. Their minds are occupied about something they have seen or done, or are meditating some new plans of