reason to lament our past unprofitableness. Let us therefore rather improve what we have, than covet what we have not.]
2. How earnest should every one be in trading with the talent committed to him !
[The time is shortly coming when we must give up our account to God: and how awful will it be to be cast out as "wicked and slothful servants!" How will such characters weep and wail for the opportunities they have lost ! On the contrary, how delightful to hear the Saviour's plaudit ! What a recompence, to " enter into the joy of our Lord!" O let every soul exert itself to the utmost in his service. Let none be discouraged because they can do but little for God. Many who condemn themselves as vile and faithless, shall hear him say, " Well done, good and faithful servants : " and many, who are ready to tremble with apprehensions of his wrath, shall be made partakers of his felicity and glory.]
3. How little should we regard the attempts of the ungodly to repress our zeal !
[Men never condemn their own stewards for being too faithful or diligent : yet if any of the Lord's stewards labour to improve their talent, the world cry out against them as over- righteous. But " it is a very small matter to be judged of man's judgment." Let the world exclaim against us as hypocrites or enthusiasts, if the Judge of all do but account us good and faithful : His plaudit will abundantly compensate for the ob- loquy we endured. Let us then, every one for himself, " stir up the gift of God that is in us ;" and let us exhort one another in the words of inspiration ^ — o]
z 1 Cor. XV. 58.