among unfriendly plants, and flourishes in spite of an ungenial climate; and is distinguished by the fruits of humility, piety, holiness, and charity, in which it abounds. Yet among these who alike "receive, and understand, and keep the word," there is not an uniform proficiency. All do not in an equal degree obtain the mastery over their natural corruptions. All do not arrive at an equal height in Christian virtues. All do not labour equally in the service of their Master, to whom they have attached themselves. All produce fruit; but "some thirty fold, some sixty, and some an hundred."

Such is the actual state of the Christian world. And such is the description which was drawn of it before Christianity was in existence. The description agrees with the experience of every minister who has observed the workings of human nature under the operation of the Gospel. He can distinguish characters like these among every hundred persons that may be under his charge; he can perceive none who do not fall naturally and easily within some one

of these classes.

And this I must consider

strong evidence of divine authority in him who delivered such a parable: a parable which comprehensively describes the whole of mankind, in a country where the Gospel is preached; so as to mark out by a masterly touch the different shades and variations of character, which should be hereafter produced by a cause not then in operation. That this foreknowledge of character should have been found in men who were no more than Jesus and his followers appeared to be, is as difficult to believe, as that one uneducated in anatomy should be able to delineate the internal conformation of the human body.

IV. It must be observed, farther, that the parable just considered by no means stands alone, an exception to the general tenour of the discourses of Jesus: it cannot be alleged as a single fortunate hit among many failures. The truth which it conveys is intimated by several other parables, likewise of a prophetic nature; among which that of the tares springing up among

the wheat, and of the net cast into the sea5, deserve particular attention. Like the former, they communicate information which an impostor would be unwilling to furnish, which an enthusiast would refuse to anticipate, but which has been found agreeable to experience in every age of the Gospel. They predict, that even in the countries where Christianity is received and generally professed, there shall be a great variance between its precepts and the characters of many who come within its pale. They warrant us to expect that many will contradict by their lives the faith which they express in their creed, and fall short of the character which the Gospel prescribes and requires.

That such is the case, none will deny. The great majority of the people, in a Christian country, believe in the incarnation of Jesus as an historical fact, without being in any characteristic degree influenced by his religion. I do not only mean that they are denominated

Matt. xiii. 24-43.-47-50.

Christians from their geographical position, or the baptism of their infancy; but that, if questioned upon the point, they would profess themselves Christians; would be offended if their faith were doubted; would desire to be comprehended in all the benefits of Christianity, and resent it, if their title to them were denied. And yet, if their lives were examined, and their sentiments tried according to the rules and spirit of Christianity, they would be found altogether defective. The Gospel says, "blessed are the poor in spirit." But how generally does even the Christian world condemn the moderation, the unambitious temper, the humility, the self-abasement, which belong to the “ poor in

spirit," as contemptible! The Gospel says,

"blessed are the meek;" but the world banishes from its society the man who practises this meekness, by patiently bearing an affront, and scrupling to resent an injury. The Gospel says, "blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness." But how little does it appear from the studies, the pursuits, the pleasures, or the conversation of a Christian community, that

righteousness is the leading object of desire? how generally, I might justly add, is such a desire despised? The Gospel says, “blessed are the pure in heart." Yet how lamentably common, and how little censured by public opinion, is impurity of discourse, of thought, of practice! I instance in these points of conduct, because they are open and tangible, and capable of no mistake or denial. But if it were necessary to push the inquiry further, the same inconsistency and deficiency would appear with respect to the doctrines of Christianity. The faith of most men is as much at variance with the religion which they profess, as their practice.

No doubt, this discrepancy between the general habits and sentiments of those who profess Christianity, and the precepts of their religion, is an astonishing fact; and one with regard to which we require all the light of Scripture to explain the results of our experience, and all the results of our experience to confirin the predictions of Scripture. An argu