ders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth."

When Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, his alarm subsided, his natural opposition to the commandments of God revived, "he sinned yet more and hardened his heart, he and his servants, neither would he let the children of Israel go." He had been a hearer, and a trembling hearer of God's word, but he was not prepared to be a willing doer of it: the devil took it away out of his heart, lest he should believe and be saved. Take heed therefore, how ye hear.

2. "They on the rock, are they, which when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for awhile believe, and in time of temptation fall away." This includes a large class: some belonging to it are to be found in every congregation. They hear often and seem to take pleasure in hearing; while they are in the society of those who love religion, they imagine they love it also; especially if it has gained ground in their neighbourhood, and a profession of it become fashionable; or if they know any persons of consequence, to whom they imagine they may recommend themselves by seeming to be religious: some of these learn to talk about religion with astonishing accuracy; they think they have been converted; they speak of their sins and of their Saviour, and of the truth,

and of the world; of some ministers who preach the gospel plainly, of others who are timid and state but half the truth, of others who know nothing, who are quite blind: they loudly applaud their favourite preacher, and frequently repeat some of his favourite sayings: altogether they look exceedingly like Christians: and in the day of prosperity no human eye can distinguish between him who is living in the deceitful security and satisfaction produced by high animal spirits, heightened into actual enjoyment by surrounding blessings, and accompanied by a knowledge of the theory of the gospel; and him who is vitally influenced by the Holy Spirit of God. But there must needs be trials for the truth's sake, that they which are approved may be made manifest, and then it is, that these are detected and fall away. When thrown among persons who disregard true religion, persons from whose approbation they expect some worldly advantage, persons who deride the language and sentiments of the New Testament as enthusiastic canting: then observe how the religion of such hearers will bend, then hearken how their language assumes the modern polish, and discards the vulgarity of the scriptures, that they may give no offence; see also how their practice accommodates itself to the habits of those around them; how ingenious they are become in finding out arguments to justify some prudent judicious compromise, as for example,

not to lose all their influence, not to give a false idea of the moroseness of religion,-Ah! is it possible these are the persons who but a few days ago talked so decidedly of separation from the world? See them uniting with the giddy throng in that chamber of noise and bustle and merriment, where almost every subject of conversation is courted and encouraged, with the exception of the religion of Jesus Christ; science, history, politics, slander, every thing but Christianity. Is it possible these are they who last night joined some of the Lord's children in social prayer, asking to be preserved from the temptation of those very scenes? Is not the latter end of such professors worse than the beginning? Hear what the Apostle Peter says, and let the awful words sink into your hearts. "If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning; for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them but it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire."*

3. "That which fell among thorns, are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection."

This also includes a large, a very large class; embracing the ambitious, and the covetous and the frivolous votaries of this present world. There is no more deadly enemy to a profitable hearing of the word of God, than the spirit of worldly-mindedness, under whatever feature it may manifest itself. Here are opportunities innumerable for self-deception; because many of the pursuits and occupations and possessions and enjoyments of this world are perfectly allowable, some of them actually commanded; and in those it is almost impossible to distinguish by the outward act, the real Christian from the deceived or deceiving professor.

This applies to the cares and pleasures of this world, but most especially to the riches. My dear brethren, beware of covetousness: a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Many there are, very many, in these times, and in this our country, who are constantly hearing the word of God, and yet of whom it may be truly said, "they have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray following the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of un

righteousness.* Balaam disclaimed all covetousness, and even made great profession of piety. When the princes of the king of Moab came to him with the tempting offers of their master, he said "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more;" but observe how he tampered with the temptation; God had distinctly desired him not to go, he understood the command, but his inclination was opposed to it; he added, therefore, to the King's messengers, " I pray you tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the Lord will say unto me more :"+ This showed at least a sinful willingness to extort permission from God. St. Peter's explanation of it is, that Balaam "loved the wages of unrighteousness," and we know the judgment of God whose spirit will not always strive with the obstinate sinner. In anger he permitted the false prophet to follow his own corrupt desires, and in justice he punished him for so doing.

In this glass many of you may see a striking likeness of yourselves, but "if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass, for he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he

2 Pet. ii. 15.

+ Numb. xxii. passim.