become, by their own misconduct, stumbling blocks of offence to their dear little ones, "it were better that a mill-stone were suspended from their necks, and that they were precipitated headlong into the depth of the ocean."

The next description of persons engaged in the service of the Lord of the vineyard, which obviously occurs, consists of those, who, though in a condition of life superior to that of daily labourers, depend, nevertheless, for the maintenance both of themselves and families, on the profits arising from their commercial or professional pursuits. But as the duties attached to this class of individuals, if to them be added that of incorruptible integrity in the various transactions in which they may be concerned, are proportionably the same as those which I have already mentioned, I shall pass them by, at present, without any further remark, in order that I may have time to offer a few observations on the higher orders, including persons in every gradation of rank and condition, from the monarch on the throne, to the private gentleman of independent fortune, whose circumstances, indeed, exempt them from the toils of industry, for their daily subsistence, but who, notwithstanding, have departments assigned to them in the vineyard of the Lord, which demand from them no inconsiderable exertions. The greater the number of their dependents, the more weighty is their charge, and the wider is the extent of their responsibility. The property which

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they hold is not their own, nor are the stations which they fill, or the authority which they exercise over their subordinate fellow-labourers in the vineyard of their common master, delegated to them for the purpose of personal aggrandisement. No. The interest, the glory, the satisfaction of that great universal proprietor, to whom "belong the earth and the fulness thereof," are the grand objects to which they should be made subservient. And those ends it should be their endeavour to attain, by encouraging industry, relieving distress, exercising hospitality, contributing to the instruction of the ignorant, promoting the propagation of religion and morality, and by diffusing the light of their own virtuous example through every part of the sphere in which they move. "Charge the rich of this world," says St. Paul to his beloved Timothy, "not to be high-minded, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the Living God, (who giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy) to do good, to be rich in good works, to give easily, to communicate, (to others) to lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life." 1 TIM. c. vi. v. 17, 18, 19.)

It is stated in the parable that they who were hired to work in the Lord's vineyard, at the eleventh hour, received in the evening a remuneration from him, equal to that which he gave to those who had entered at earlier periods into his employ, and who had borne the burthen of the

day, and the heat. I am authorized, in like manner, by my Divine Master, to announce to sinners, the satisfactory information, that though, like the labourers in the parable, who had stood all the day idle, till the eleventh hour, they may have neglected the cultivation of piety and virtue to an advanced hour of the day of their mortal lives, though they may have grown grey with impiety, and the fires of concupiscence may have continued to rage within them to a late period, yet, if they sincerely confess and repent of their transgressions, and dedicate the remainder of their earthly existence to the service of their Creator, they will be requited at the close of it, with an abundant recompense. For God himself has most solemnly declared, by the mouth of his prophet, that "at whatever time the wicked turneth himself away from his wickedness which he hath wrought, and doeth judgment and justice, he shall save his soul alive." (EZECH. c. XVIII. v. 27.)

Imagine not, however, my friends, that this gracious mercy of the Almighty is to be made with impunity a ground of presumptuous confidence. Think not that it encourages you to defer your conversion to the decrepitude of age. "Disputest thou," says St. Paul, "the riches of his goodness and patience, and long-suffering? Knowest thou not that the benignity of God leadeth thee to penance?" Recollect, my friends, that the labourers who, in the parable, were engaged at the eleventh hour, by the Lord of the vineyard, in the cultiva

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tion of his domain, do not appear to have received a previous offer of employment. For when they were asked, “why they stood in the market place all the day idle," their answer was, "because no man hath hired us." Nor was it till he had obtained from them this reply, that he said to them, go you also into my vineyard." But they surely have it not in their power to make any such reply, who, at the more early hours of their lives have resisted the calls and inspirations of heaven, and deferred the reformation of their conduct to a more remote period of their existence. Alas! my young friends, to you, that period may never perhaps arrive. Your day may be short. Your sun, for ought you know, may set at the ninth, sixth, or even at the third hour, should you not yet have reached it,-nay, set never to rise again: and at the eleventh hour, to which you look forward, as to the future period of your intended exertions, you may be involved in the darkness of eternal night, when no man can work.

Let this consideration induce you, my friends, not to delay, no, not for a single moment, the important business of eternity. "To day, if you shall hear the voice of the Lord, harden not your hearts,"-yield a prompt and cordial submission to its divine influence. It will enable you to break asunder the bonds of iniquity, it will restore you to the liberty of children of God, and it will secure to you hereafter a blissful immortality.

SERMON IX.

SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY.

ON THE WORD OF GOD.

GOSPEL. St. Luke, viii. v. 4-15. At that time, when a very great multitude was gathered together and hastened out of the cities unto him, he spoke by a similitude. The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed some fell by the way side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And other some fell upon a rock: and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some fell upon good ground; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundred fold. Saying these things, he cried out, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. To whom he said, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And they by the way side are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. Now they upon the rock are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no roots, for they believe for awhile, and in time of temptation they fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit. But that on the good ground, are they who in a good and very good heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience.

IT appears from parallel passages in St. Matthew and St. Mark, that the significant parable which you have just heard, was delivered by our blessed