They improve it with dihgence —
[They are careful to " bring forth the fruits" of righteous- ness. " Not" that all of them accomplish their wishes "in an equal degree." Splendid talents, extensive influence, or fa- vourable occasions may enable some to distinguish themselves from others. On the other hand, poverty and seclusion may cause the light of others to be more obscured. Degrees of grace too, like a kindlier climate and a richer soil, make an abundant difference in degrees of fruitfulness. Some, like St. Paul, have no delight but in adoring and serving God : they burn with love, not towards their friends only, but their most cruel enemies ; and all their tempers, wishes, thoughts, are cast into the mould of the Gospel. Others, though less eminent, are filled with zeal in their Master's cause: if they be not borne as on seraphs' wings, they run eagerly as in a race; and, though labouring under some infirmities, they bear much of their Saviour's image. Nor are they who are least fruitful satisfied with their attainment: they uniformly con- flict with sin, and long to be holy as God is holy.]
Address —
[Let us " hear this parable," not to judge others, but our- selves. Let us examine to which of the foregoing classes we belong : What has been the disposition with which vv^e have heard the word? What the benefits we have received from the preached Gospel ? Have we laboured to treasure up the truth of God in our hearts ? Has it overpowered the corrupt desires which would obstruct its growth ? And are we rising daily beyond the form, to the life and power of godliness? Surely neither Christ nor any faithful " sower of the word" will account his toil repaid if he see not this fruit of his labours. Let us not then be satisfied with being " almost," and not " altogether," Christians. If the word produce not its full effect, it will convey no benefit at all. If it destroy not the noxious weeds, the weeds will certainly destroy it. If it be not " a savour of life unto life, it will be of death unto death." Whatever profession men may make, none hut the good-ground hearers u-iU he saved at last. Let us now then guard against the devices of our great enemy. Let us watch that he take not the seed out of our hearts. Let us harrow it in, as it were, by meditation and prayer: and, however fruitful we have been, let us labour to abound more and more^]
^ The observations made in this Discourse being almost wholly confined to the parable itself, it may suffice to refer to that. See Matt, xiii. ;}— 8, 18—23. Mark iv. 3—8; 14—20. Luke viii. 4— l.^. The words marked with inverted commas allude particularly to the parable.