Christ's grounds expect, and humbly claim that God would forgive them all! Then look for the Holy Ghost, the Comforter and Sanctifier, and at last he will crown us with glory in the life of the world to come.

SERMON LXXV.

TALENTS MISIMPROVED RESUMED BY THE OWNER.

Matthew, xxv., 29. -For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Two principles run through revelation. 1. All good is from God.

2. All damnation is from men.-Fletcher.

Though the text leads to the first, yet it leads chiefly to the latter: the words occur in connexion with the parable of the talents, and that of the sower no less than five times, and always in this connexion. The meaning is, that he who improves what he has shall receive more, either in kind or value, here and hereafter-and vice versa.

Apply the text,

I. To Providential favours.

II. To useful gifts.
III. To religious privileges.
IV. To vital piety.

V. To missionary zeal.

I. Providential favours.

All good is from God this is a state of trial, and God will judge us for his gifts. Among his Providential favours, wealth is one; yet who will own himself rich? Many are willing to quit the title when they find that the statutes of heaven have laid such a tax of charity on them. They evade the tax. Ask the man with one hundred pounds, and he points to one with a thousand; ask him, and he yet points to others. Wesley defined a rich man to be, "one who had enough for present wants, and a little over." - He is not rich who appears great, and this on another's property, and fails *** We may not expend or give away another's property. -" Owe no man anything."-But a man who has anything over his wants, must not say, "'Tis mine:" but the Lord's steward-he may not consult any how to lay it out, but the Bible. There he finds it is not to be hoarded, nor squandered, nor in finery, nor to make children proud - but God intends him for his steward to the poor, and to cast into the Lord's treasury, according, not to what others do, but to what he hath.

Now, if employed thus, the text says, he shall have more. How often is this paid in kind: while the niggard loses his gripe, your stores increase. But if God do not increase wealth, he receives in value, if not in kind. What heartfelt satisfaction when feeding the poor and the widow, &c. But there is another world: "And God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have showed towards his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister:" their works follow after." But he who has not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath." The miser's wealth often flies away-but if not, the more he has, the more avaricious: he has no enjoyment-a covetous man cannot. What! seeing his brother and the cause of God have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? What! has he religion? He may have a name, and a high office, but God sees him as an idolator, and no such "hath eternal life abiding in him." Take care, and send your money to heaven." Where is the messenger?" "Give to the poor, and treasure in heaven"-give it to charity and piety. -" Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Influence is another Providential favour; as a parent, master, &c.

II. Useful gifts.

For the souls of men-clear understanding, correct judgment, good memory, engaging address.-He begins to open

his mouth, say in a class; it is with fear and trembling: byand-by his usefulness is increased. See him improving according to the Giver's design; and what is this? Is it applause? Is it for a livelihood? - No; infinitely higher, that he might not aim at display, but pleasing the Giver, and for the good of the creature-points them to him.

In this character does not God increase them?-Understanding more clear, judgment more correct, readier tongue, &c.; and in this is he not happy here?-But see the reward in the skies: many are "his joy and his crown!"

But he who has not, &c. does not stir up the gift of God, &c. lives on his stores, &c. - where are his gifts and usefulness? But suppose worse. One whispers in his ear, "He is a prodigy;" he drinks it in, and his aim then is to show himself, &c.-"From him will be taken away even that he hath." It has often happened then he has no pleasure here, nor prospect hereafter-but fire!" Rejoice not that the devils are subject to you:" more important to be approved of God!

III. Religious privileges.

In having the Gospel record and a living ministry. See our forefathers. To the Gospel, then, we owe even our civilization. But see man as immortal! Darting through the air! The Gospel brings glad tidings! And oh! the publie ministry!" Now, every one that hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundantly." And what is the Giver's design in this? Is it to come to church, listen, and pass your opinion? It is that you obey the word. If you show every other sign, however hopeful, all nothing unless you keep the word in practice. "Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it." "Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hands to his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."-Such a man, thus improving, is no wayside hearer-nor a stony ground-soon pleased and soon offended

-nor a thorny, who bids fair for a season-but he brings forth fruit-God gives them more abundantly-their knowledge of the Bible increases astonishingly; and, knowing the first principles, they can go on with the preacher: not only their knowledge, but their love, joy, zeal, &c.

Others do not improve. - Awful that three fourths of the seed in the parable was lost.-Turn over your own conscience: have you "obeyed from the heart?" Not, " do you praise it?" Is it your rule daily? Such who do not, shall lose all the benefit intended, and, perhaps, through their neglect, the village or town may lose the Gospel-others following them. See in the Acts: it is said of many places, they preached the Gospel there-what a tombstone!-the sepulchre of the Gospel! But is it preached there now? Alas! the candlestick is removed.

IV.. Vital piety:

More than profession of attachment to Jesus and his cause, however respectable, regular, and long continued.It may be as decent as that of the five virgins. It must be vital a flame kindled in the heart from God's own altar while man is faithful. Now what is God's design here? To exercise it and grow in it; and by living by the vital faith he experiences, his faith increases to a father's: he holds fast now; in Christ he has life! "To him shall be given!"

"But whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." How many lose vital piety: they think, "Now my mountain is strong; I need not pray so much, nor be so strict in denying and watching. Die ? No, not surely die;" and as the soul drinks in this, he is less diligent in the closet, less watchful, conscientious, not so single an eye: he loses, and perhaps rapidly; and is either church lumber, or measures back to earth!

V. Missionary zeal.

There is always this in true piety-not there should be, but there is.-(Gaultier.) He will reprove and pray for a neighbour-a relation, &c. What! indifferent to a father's salvation, or brother's, or wife's, or child's? What! no tears, no prayers? But he hears that there are millions of souls beyond his country! me to do?" Wilt thou not wood and drawer of water?" his piety abounds. -God feeds the flame while he is thus concerned, the oil is poured in, and the zeal of God's house eats him up-his property-his life!-But he shall receive all again, and a reward too, though not of right, yet of

"Lord, what wouldst thou have employ me as a "hewer of This spirit he will possess as

grace.

But let a man begin to lose piety, and this zeal evaporates; and from him, his soul, God will take away, &c., here and hereafter.

* * * In a short time we are going to the eternal world! Our days flee! - After death is judgment. Then the sentence, "Come," or "Depart :" which are you prepared for? You have had many gifts: have you improved them? Search yourselves: are you treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath? Have you obeyed the Gospel, that says, "Come out from among them?" "What!" say you, "behave rudely to my friends? They are honest, and respectable, and amusing; and must I leave them because they do not fear God?"-You must separate from all ungodly company; I mean, you must not spend your hours of pleasure among them. * * * "Touch not, taste not, handle not." Not only separate from the sinner, but the sin. The Gospel says also, "repent." Have you? It says, "Come to me." Have you?-Some of you are laden with cares and misery enough. Come he will receive you graciously: not only permit you to come, but thank you for coming-with a grace.

Those of you who were once converted, do you not want it again? Is it not your cry, "Enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified:" and add also, "Help us to be faithful." It is a sad thing to desire pardon to escape hell, and not desire faith and holiness to live to God! - Are we too warm in these things? What is everything in life compared with the eternal world! Be not deceived; God is not mocked; "for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap;" and "Be not weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."