borness and deceitfulness of our hearts towards Him, and so it would teach us how pressing a need there is that we should watch and pray and labour earnestly lest we ourselves become a miserable instance of the fact that "Many are called but Few are chosen."

Let us, however, contemplate the fact itself, and turn our knowledge of it to some practical purpose; but let us never attempt to account for, or explain it. No other account is given of it in Holy Scripture than that so it is, and speculation on such a subject, if not always wrong, is at least always dangerous, and we should avoid it carefully. And even the fact itself may be so contemplated as to do us harm rather than good. For instance, if it makes us despond. We should look to the purpose for which it is revealed. We are sure it is not meant to make us despond. Despondency tends to enfeeble and weigh us down; whereas the fact that "Many are called but Few are chosen," is revealed to us in order that we may put forth more energy in the race which is set before us, and strive more diligently to make our calling and election sure. It is true, that we ought to

learn from this fact never to be confident of the future. We ought certainly to be reminded by it, that though we have been preserved in a hundred trials, yet the very next, if we are not watchful, may overcome us; and that though we have taken many steps in the narrow way, yet if we stop only one step short of the end, we shall lose all that we have been seeking. Doubtless, this we ought to learn, and be very thankful for having been taught it. And if such teaching causes any feeling of despondency to creep over us, as though we could not feel happy, nor actively exert ourselves, unless we were assured of final salvation, let us endeavour resolutely to overcome such a feeling; for it is a fault. The way to be assured of our salvation to-morrow, the only way, is to seek it and secure it to-day; to bless God for our present privileges, and to use them. The man who does this day by day continually, cannot finally be lost; but the man whose mind is filled with the uncertainties of the future will have neither heart nor opportunity to do this, and therefore, will be in great peril of going wrong.

In a very few words, then, I may sum up

We

the doctrine of the Gospel for this day.* are in a state of probation. The things which may hurt us are many and serious; we shall be sorely tempted to sink under them; but our God is Almighty and most merciful, and of His bountiful Goodness will keep us, if we humbly ask Him, from all these things. And, though our Christian calling is so high and holy that Many shrink from it, and Few obey it, yet His grace being sufficient for us, will, if we seek it, make us ready both in body and soul, and enable us cheerfully to accomplish those things that He would have done; will enable us to walk circumspectly, marking the exceeding narrowness of our way; and to redeem the time; i. e., to put each portion of our time to its proper and appointed use, so that it be redeemed from the sin and sloth of these evil days; to go on from one duty to another, never looking back at that which is past as though we had already attained some great thing, but seeking to be filled with the Spirit-seeking to draw near to and enjoy the most precious riches of the Gospel which the Gift of the Spirit has opened to our faith; and

* Twentieth Sunday after Trinity.

to remember that if we have obeyed some calls which others have neglected, we have the more need of constant devotion, thankfulness, humbleness, and the holy fear of God, lest for want of these we should have gone so far in vain and fail at last: which we cannot do if we so understand the Lord's will as not to take the way of the multitude for our guide, especially not in matters of religion, but without shame on the one hand, or affectation on the other, be resolved to be religious in all things, and to use all the means which He has provided for us to know and practice what He loves.

SERMON XIII.

66

THE OMNIPRESENT EYE OF GOD.

PROVERBS XV, 3.

THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE IN EVERY PLACE BEHOLDING THE EVIL AND THE GOOD."

THIS is a truth which inconsiderate persons are apt to hear with indifference, because they imagine that they are already acquainted with it, and that it requires no great effort to understand it perfectly. But if we have any seriousness in our hearts, we shall listen to it with much concern, and be ready at all times to make it the subject of earnest and devout meditation; perceiving that it is an exceedingly mysterious truth, and very difficult to be