down the one, or make the other profitable or useful. He does much to procure judgments, and divine displeasure; but nothing to avert them. Once more,

8. The whole conduct of our sluggard is a breach of bargain and contract. The vineyard and field are not his own, but let out to him by the proprietor. This makes his sloth highly criminal. He had promised to dress and manure them. The season comes, and the owner expects fruit, but finds none. The slothful man exposes himself not only to be deprived of the vineyard, but imprisoned and punished. Justly may the lord of the vineyard take it from such an indolent wretch, sue for damages, and give it to another, who is likely to act a better part.

There is a solemn contract between God and every person in his vineyard. Though there were no consent or stipulation on the part of the professing Christian; the grant of Divine revelation, the offer of Christ, and the dispensation of the means of grace, lay him under infinite obligation to improve. He receives the Scriptures with the express injunction to search them, as testifying of Christ, and containing eternal life. The grant of Christ is accompanied with the great command to believe on his name. Ordinances are dispensed with a call to improve them, and not receive the grace of God in vain. The Divine commandment fixes the obligation, though the sinner should never consent. But, his own interest is infinitely at stake. Every Divine command, accompanying the Scriptures, or means of grace, is of the same amount, and with the same kind intention with the words of Paul to the jailer, "Do thyself no

harm." They are designed to point out the danger of eternal death and prevent it; and set everlasting life before the sinner. In short, the sinner receives the vineyard, including all his opportunities, with this memorable injunction, "Occupy till I come.”

But every Church member professes to give his consent, enter into an engagement to be the Lord's, and cultivate his vineyard. Most of those, who enjoy the means of grace, were dedicated to the Lord at an early period in baptism. Then, consent was given in their behalf, and till they renounce the solemn transaction, the deed is valid, and God's vows are on them. Slothful as many are, they often renew these early engagements. If ever they have been at the Lord's table, there, in a solemn manner, they made a profession of being the Lord's. If the consent of the heart has been withheld, their conduct is the more criminal. Never was consent required to any thing more reasonable, or advantageous; and withholding it is most dishonouring to God, and pernicious to themselves. He calls for the heart, and has the best right to it; and we should "present our bodies to him a living sacrifice which is our reasonable service.".

We shall conclude at present by observing that few characters are more despicable than that of the slothful. In common life, the man, who sleeps away his time, spends it in idleness, and will not work, is universally and justly the object of contempt. But it is to be lamented, that, by the gross of mankind, the active Christian who is engaged in earnest about the concerns of his soul, and matters of eternal mo

ment, and endeavours to improve his privileges and cultivate his heart-is equally despised and disesteemed, as the man who neglects wholly his tem poral affairs, and is a complete sluggard. How vitiated is the taste of man! What will it profit a man though he should gain the whole world if he lose his own soul! There is nothing more common than to see the merchant, mechanic, and man of business, rising early and setting late to provide for the body, while the soul is altogether neglected. Passing through the country we find the trees bending under their fruit, and the gardens adorned and beautified with the richest flowers; but what a rare thing is it to find a person fervent in every duty, and working out his own salvation! The greatest earthly riches will avail nothing at death; and only an interest in the unsearchable riches of Christ will enrich for eternity.

We should be diligent, and learn from the ant. Death approaches, and the Judge is at the door. We should observe and improve our season of grace. "The stork in the heaven knows her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord." We should plough the fallow ground of our hearts, and cry to the great SOWER to sow the good seed. We should come under the power of the word. We should read it, consider it, and believe it to be Divine. We should be much at the throne of grace, and fervently cry for the former and latter rain. We should never forget that the great PROPRIETOR now takes particular notice,

and will soon call us to an account; and if we are then found slothful, our poverty will come upon us as an armed man; and every opportunity to alter our condition will be for ever lost! Now is the accepted time and the day of salvation. O that the slothful knew in THIS their day the things which belong to their peace, before they be hid from their eyes!

SERMON XVII.

PROVERBS XXIV. 30, 31, 32.

I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

SOLOMON was the wisest of all men, and “his fame was in all nations round about. He spake three thousand Proverbs: and his Songs were a thousand and five. He spake of trees from the cedar-tree that is in Lebanon, even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowls, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom." His praise is still in all the churches. He was an accurate observer of men, and made just reflections on their conduct. Viewed in this light, his Proverbs merit the most serious perusal; and are of signal use to direct us in every part of our conduct. But when we consider them as