heart. His good word, received in love, is not lost; that principle of celestial life, which the Holy Spirit imparts, is not extinguished. The Apostle Peter says, concerning the subjects of this grace, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever." And the Lord Jesus himself observes, speaking of the same grace, "The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life."

Do you ask how this is effected? The text says, "The earth bringeth forth fruit of herself;" that is, without the anxiety of the husbandman. Having prepared his ground, sown his seed, and covered it, this is all that he can do. Thus ministers, they can only preach the word, and use other means appointed, and then wait the event. "Paul planted, Apollos watered;" and what remained? Was this enough? No! "God gave the increase. So, then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase *."

In the growth of corn, though the earth produce it without the anxious care of man, doubtless something is requisite. The situation must be suitable; the rain and dew from heaven, the refreshing breeze, and especially the warming beams of the sun, are essential to its growth. This should teach us the value of religious means and privileges. The work of grace is not likely to appear in the neglect of means, but in the wise and diligent use of them. "Those that be planted in the house of the Lord," not they who forsake it, "shall flourish in the courts of our God." "Thou meetest" not those that forget thee, but "that remember thee in thy ways.' They that wait upon

the Lord," not that turn aside from him, and his or dinances," shall renew their strength." It should teach us the necessity of the influences of the Holy Spirit. These water this work of grace. "I will be," says the Lord," as the dew unto Israel." He is so by his Spirit's influence distilling on the heart; and the consequence is, Israel shall " grow as the lily, and

cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon." "He shall come down," says the Psalmist," like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth :" and what shall follow? "In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth." Hence, it should teach us also the worth of Christ, that "sun of righteousness," that "light of the world, and life of men," without whose vivid rays all is a dark, and dead, and dreary waste. In this sense, above all others, "truly the light is sweet; and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun!" The soul of man cannot prosper, the work of grace does not appear, unless the reviving rays of this glorious sun are felt. Learn, therefore, to prize the Gospel; and to be thankful for whatever brings you near to him, and keeps you dependant on him. They that dwell under his shadow shall return:" in such there thall be a happy change which cannot be concealed: "they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine; the scent thereof shall be as the vine of Lebanon."-We next observe, in regard to this work of grace, after it appears,

Saviour, to love his

IV. It is GRADUAL in its GROWTH.

This is asserted in the text, in respect to corn, and nothing is more obvious: there is "first the blade,

then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." The Apostle speaks of "babes in Christ, young men, and fathers:" here is growth. An infant does not suddenly become a man; a plant does not instantly become a tree; a blade of corn does not at once become a full ear: there is a gradual and progressive advancement until maturity is attained.

Just so in this work of grace in the believer's heart: He that begins it does not perfect it in a day or an hour, but goes on, step by step, to "perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

For some time, perhaps, knowledge is small. Our views are dark and indistinct; we see men as though they were trees walking; we perceive so much of Christ as to desire him, and so much of the freeness and fulness of the Gospel, as to possess a good hope," but not enough to secure a settled peace. Faith also is weak: it hovers round the word, but cannot fix on it. Now and then it lays hold of a precious promise, but finds it difficult to keep its hold. The language of such an one is, and, conscious of the inward struggle, he feels what he says, Lord, I believe help thou my unbelief." And where faith is weak, other graces must be proportionably low; love is languid, hope is clouded, joy is damped; there will frequently be doubts and fears, and even slips and falls. You have noticed the feebleness of a young plant; how it bends with every breeze, and stands exposed to every injury. And thus the believer:-but gradually he gathers strength; he becomes more stable; in the carèful use of the means of Divine appointment, he grows in grace, and in the knowledge of his Lord and Saviour; he attains more clear and enlarged discoveries of evangelical truth; he approves more cordially of the whole plan of sal

vation by Jesus Christ; he rests more firmly on the declarations and promises of the glorious Gospel, and he feels more of their salutary influence. Yes he grows in hatred to sin, and in victory over it; he sees more of its detestable nature; and, by strength derived from above, he maintains a successful warfare.

This is growth. But let not the feeblest believer be discouraged; the tenderness and compassion of Jesus is a source of "strong consolation." What is said of him? "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory." "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." These expressions of peculiar feeling and affection in the Saviour, to the weak and timorous, should not leave us satisfied with small attainments: if we are thus satisfied, it proves that we have attained nothing yet as we ought. The tenderness of Jesus to young plants, and to the lambs of his flock, should doubtless encourage our desire to grow under his influence, and to become strong in his strength. In the process of vegetation, sometimes there are serious hindrances nipping frosts, stormy winds, excessive rains and floods, are more or less detrimental. Thus frequently the growth of the Christian is impeded: what from the suggestions of foes within, and the assaults of enemies without, he not only makes no progress, but gives way, and loses ground. Such is the humbling fact. But let us be concerned that our path be like that of the sun, "which shineth more and more unto the perfect day;" and our growth like this of the corn, where there is "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."

V. This work of grace is BENEFICIAL in its

PRESENT EFFECTS.

In corn, there is not only growth, a gradual advance to maturity, but there is fruit-"When the fruit is brought forth." Here let us notice the fruit of a Christian. It is "the fruit of holiness," "the fruit of holiness," "the peaceable fruit of righteousness," "the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, fidelity, meekness, temperance." It is "fruit unto God," and "fruit unto eternal life."

to men.

More particularly; when the soul prospers, and the work of grace grows as it ought, it bears the happy fruit of piety towards God, and of usefulness Mark the temper and deportment of a true Christian, advancing in sound scriptural experience, and ripening fast for heaven; such an one has learned in all his ways to acknowledge God: he lives daily in communion with him; he fears to offend him; he studies to please him. He is, in short, a godly man. His heart's desire is to walk with God, and ever to keep near to him; to regard his approbation in all his concerns, to do all in his name, and with a constant reference to his glory, through the mediation of his Son, and by the aid of his Spirit.

Observe also his disposition and efforts to be useful. He lives not to himself: he looks not at his own things only, but also at the things of others. Feeling his obligations, and revering the authority of his God and Saviour, he will do good, as he has opportunity, unto all men, and especially to them who are of the household of faith. You see such an one living not only "soberly" in regard to himself, but "righteously" towards others: he acts" justly" in his dealings with all; he loves "mercy" to the