l;30 MATTHEW, XIII. 52. [1367.
yet shall never enter into the kingdom of heaven. Let all then judge themselves by the marks exhibited in the Holy Scrip- tures. Let them inquire whether, if the separation were at this instant to be made, they should be found amongst the good or the bad, among those that are truly alive to God, or those who, though they " have a name to live, are really dead" before God^ Let it be remembered that the net is now spread, and that we are now enclosed in it ; and, though we do not immediately perceive it, the net is at this moment drawing to shore. My dear brethren, I tremble to think how many of us will ere long be irrecoverably cast into a furnace of fire, and with what bitter " wailings," and self-condemning " gnashing of their teeth," they will look back upon the warn- ings they have despised, and the opportunities they have lost. Speedily, speedily will the scrutiny be made ; and then the final separation. May God of his infinite mercy prepare us all for that awful day, by renewing our natures, and accepting us in his beloved Son ; that so we may be numbered with the good, and be approved of our God for ever and ever !]
' Rev. iii. 1.
Matt. xiii. 52. Every scribe which is instructed unto the king- dom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things 7iew and old.
IT is of importance to all, but especially to those who are to teach others, that they understand clearly the mysteries of the Gospel. An ignorant minister, like an empty cloud or a leaky vessel, disappoints those who expect consolation and refreshment from him. But a well-instructed Scribe or minister resem- bles a housekeeper or steward, who, having made good provision for the family, feeds them to the full. With this comparison our Lord gave his attentive and intelligent disciples, a view of the office which would in due season be committed to them. The resem- blance of every such minister to a householder may be traced in that,
I. He is provided with all things necessary for the family over whom he is placed —