sometimes reason to exclaim, "Who bath believed our report?" But sometimeR h(J has occasion to lament over those who apparently have believed but whose goo<lnc~~ proves, a.a time passes, "IL8 the morning cloud and as the early dew, which gucth away." Our Lord warns us that we shall meet with such casee, which first excite hope and expectation, and then cloud the soul of the Christian labourer with disappoint- ment and sorrow. Such are compared to the rocky soil, with just a scattering of earth upon the surface, where the seed may grow, but where it will never live to produce e. crop. I. GaoWTII EXOITEB HOPE. In the cases symbolized by this pa.rt of the parable there is much to please and encourage the inexperienced sower of the Divine Word. We observe : 1. Sensibility and suse,e,ptibility. How different from the wayside hearer is this I Here we behold the truth obtaining at once a lodgment and welcome in the heart. An impressible nature is affected by the glad tidings which Christ brings from heaven. The conscience is aroused, the judgment is convinced, the heart is captivated. The first contact of the truth with the soul is of the most hopeful character. 2. Glad- ness follows the reception of the Word; for this is an emotional nature, rcsponsivo to the joyful tidings. This is indeed what ought to be expected ; yet its occurrence is so rare as to occasion surprise and enkindle the most glowing expectations. It is especially in times of "revival" that such instances abound. A general excitement heightens the emotion of joy which springs up in the heart of the impressible hearer; it is joy as of one who finds a great treasure. 3. Precor:ity of growth is the natural consequence. The soil is of a" forcing" character, and yields speedy and surprising, if temporary, results. Very different from the slow, steady, gradual growth, which is most, on the whole, to be desired, is the rapid development of the religious life in the superficial convert of the apparent "revival." Extreme views, extravagant expec- tations, thoughtless but ardent resolves,-all testify to the quick, unhealthy growth. II. WITHERING BRINGS DISAPPOINTMENT. 1. After a while a season of trial comes. Time tries all, and affliction and persecution arise. This is the providential appoint- ment; it is discipline which Divine wisdom deems necessary, In the early days of Christianity this was a common test, and in some form and in some measure it con- tinues and will long continue to be so. 2. Before the scorching sun the feeble growth is withered and destroyed. The furnace which refines the gold consumes the straw. The effect at first produced was owing to novelty, excitement, company, enthusiasm. Only the surface was reached, below was nothing. The transitory joy is followed by depression, carelessness, stolidity, obduracy. Perhaps there is a hope of the renewal of excitement, which never comes. It is seen that belief is not faith, feeling is not principle, joy is not life. To endure that test there is needed an inward, hidden life, hidden with Christ in God. There is needed a soil watered continually by heavenly dews e.nd showers, " Blessed is he that endureth I" APPLIOA.TION. 1. Let sanguine preachers a.nd teachers take a sober e.nd scriptural view of their work, and guard against being misled by enthusiasm and extravagant expectations. 2. Let hearers of the gospel seek grace that tqe truth may not only touch but may penetrate their heart ; let them seek the Holy Spirit's aid that they may hear the Word of God, and keep it I
Vere. 7, 18, 19.-The Word choked in the heart. Thoms make a good hedge but a bad crop. The soil here described was in itself rich, good soil. But it could not grow both thorns and wheat, and, when occupied by the one, failed to yield the other, I. WHAT A.RE THE THORNS THAT OVERGROW THE SOIL? Thorns, thistles, brambles, briers, are signs of neglect. They a.re the emblems of the primeval ourse, for the garden was by our first parents exchanged for the thorny wilderness. In our parable the thorns are explained to represent: 1. " The cares of this world." Cares, whether of Stato or business, of letters or science, of family or calling, may occupy the mind which has received the truth of God, to such an extent as to hinder that truth from growing up. "Care, when it once both entered in the breast, Will havo the whole possession ere it rest." Cares are distractions, nnd, even when concerning lawful things, if unchecked, are detri• THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MAUK. [cu. 1v. l-4L