Instead of leading you through every part of this parable, it is my intention to dwell, almost exclusively, upon that introductory sentence, with which my text presents us.

The figure here exhibited, is not only of an intelligible kind, but such a one as must needs be universally interesting to a race of creatures, who depend upon the labours of the agriculturist for our daily sustenance: and perhaps it may be more interesting still, as the well known symbol of a christian pastor. The present opportunity shall be employed, in marking a few points of similitude between the figure here presented, and the character signified by it.

When the husbandman means to sow a piece of land, his first care is to provide good seed for that purpose. And in this particular he is curious and considerate. He will not

be satisfied with that which soonest comes to hand; but will nicely examine and cautiously select the fullest, the clearest, and the most promising sample his granary can afford. And if his own stores present him with none sufficiently perfect, he will put himself to the labour of enquiring and searching among his neighbours or strangers,

for grain of that particular character, which he supposes best adapted to the quality of his land. His next concern is to lay in a sufficient quantity of this good seed for the present occasion; from a conviction that, to be sparing at such a season, would have a tendency to blast all his hopes of an abundant increase. Having made this necessary provision, his third care is, with measured step and a steady hand, to scatter it abroad upon the field he has prepared, so that no patch of its surface may fail of receiving a due proportion of the falling grain. And, fourthly, after committing to the ground this precious deposit, he retires from the scene of his labours under the influence of a cheering hope, that favourable seasons and a watchful providence will secure to him a rich and plenteous harvest. Each of these particulars exhibits a certain point of similitude between the sower who goeth forth to sow his seed, and the christian pastor who goes abroad into the world for the purpose of proclaiming the good word of God. But to observe this distinctly, it is necessary that we should more leisurely go over the ground, which I have now rapidly marked out.

First-The christian pastor is careful to provide good seed.

He knows that a large provision of the unadulterated seed of the kingdom has been made by the great Lord of the harvest: and, that he may not lose the advantage of such provision, he freely resorts to the sacred granary in which it is laid up, and which is no other than the inspired volume. This spiritual storehouse is replenished with divine truth of every description, consisting of doctrines, precepts, and promises: presenting an endless treasure of instruction and comfort, adapted to every occasion that can possibly fall out. From these inexhaustible stores the spiritual sower fetches a full supply for immediate use; very anxiously endeavouring to select what may more especially applicable to that particular species of soil, which he is appointed to cultivate. Very peremptorily determining, at the same time, never to place any dependence upon his own proper stores, nor ever to draw upon his own wisdom, experience, or ability, but just so far as the case may demand, and the written word will allow. He goes not forth to disseminate his own

be

fancies, nor to spread abroad the cunningly devised fables of others; but, collecting his materials from the unsophisticated word of inspiration, he simply and unreservedly declares to his hearers the whole counsel of God. It was thus that the great Apostle opened and executed his commission in every place: of which he gives us a general statement in his first epistle to the Corinthians And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech, or wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And my speech and my preaching was not with the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Secondly-As the prudent husbandman is careful to lay in a quantity of seed proportioned to his occasions, so the christian pastor is anxious to form a large acquaintance with the revealed will of God.

Knowing that all Scripture was given by inspiration of God, and that it is profitable

for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, the man of God carefully studies it, that he may become perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. The necessity of such a proceeding appears from the solemn and importunate admonition of St. Paul to Timothy, who had lately been called to the ministerial office-Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear unto all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrines of the word; continue in them: for, in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

The publisher of the Gospel, then, should be continually increasing his sacred stores, by diligently searching the Scriptures, by earnest prayer, and by secret meditation. It is both his wisdom and his duty to live at the very fountain-head of grace, that he may be daily receiving thence fresh supplies of the Spirit, till his heart become an ample repository of divine things. He knows not