SERMON II.

ON OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD PREACHED.

ST. LUKE, viii. 18.

Take heed-how ye hear.

In the language of the sacred Scriptures the expression, "to hear," is very often used to signify the obedience which hearing, with a right disposition of mind, naturally begets. When, for instance, Christ says, "He that is of God heareth God's words;"* and again, when the voice from heaven uttered the declaration, "This is my beloved Son--hear ye him;" in these passages, and others like them, it is manifest the phrase, "to St. Matthew, xvii. 5.

* St. John, viii. 47.

D

hear," signifies "to obey." In the text, also, the same is, virtually, the case; for the verse, of which the words I have repeated form the beginning only, goes on to say, "Whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have." So that the entire passage clearly relates to the possession, not of the word only, but of the faith and obedience resulting therefrom.

In nearly the same sense it is my wish that you should now understand the language of the text. There is a matter which concerns, very nearly, both you, my brethren, who hear, and us, the ministers of Christ, who speak in his name; and to this it is my desire and purpose to apply the words of our divine Master, this evening.

I am speaking, as you will probably have conjectured already, of that part of the duty of every congregation which consists in a faithful hearing of the word preached to them: and I am led to consider this the more, from observing how commonly the full effect of this means of grace is defeated by a habit, very many of every congregation have acquired, of subjecting the exhortations of the preacher to an arbitrary system of abatement and allowance, according as their judg

ments, or prejudices, or passions dictate the measure. This kind of abstraction from the fulness of the word, however unjustifiable in itself, is yet so constantly indulged in by a large number of those who hear, that it is scarcely possible they should derive any real benefit whatever from their hearing: and then, for this deficiency in moral feeling and spiritual improvement, not the preacher only, which would be, comparatively, but a slight matter, but the word of God itself, is continually exposed to the censure of the irreligious and profane. To the several points, therefore, connected with this subject, I desire to draw your attention this evening, my brethren; and I humbly beg the blessing of Almighty God upon my endeavour to impress upon you the warning admonition of his dear Son, "Take heed how ye hear."

First, however, let me notice, in few words, the duty which lies upon the ministers of Christ themselves, in this matter; for the business we have now undertaken may be considered somewhat in the light of a mutual examination,-a trial, as it were, of each other, in order that one or both, if need be, may be reproved. To the ministers of Christ, then, it belongs to set forth,

his true and lively word, in the clearest and plainest manner-in the manner best adapted for edification to every congregation and every individual with whom their duties bring them in connection. It behoves them, under the solemn denunciation of woe if they preach not the Gospel, to bear the message of love and hope to every one who will hear it. They, like the prophets of old, cannot go beyond the word of the Lord, to say less, or more; but, so far as that word does go, so far does their message go also. Whether the people, to whom they speak, will hear, or whether they will forbear, their course is plainly marked out; and when the word of the law of life speaks in terror, they must utter the words of terror likewise. In respect of their office, they are ambassadors of Christ, and entitled to such consideration as the Master, whose heralds they are, will account due to his messengers: but, in love, they are, as the great Gentile apostle declares, "your servants, for Jesus' sake."* Their rule of conduct, in this great matter of preaching the Gospel of salvation, is that laid down by St. John in the Book of Revelation: "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto

* 2 Cor. iv. 5.

him the plagues that are written in " that "book; and if any man shall take away" therefrom, "God shall take away his part out of the book of life."* With such a responsibility resting upon them, you yourselves must see that it is a very small thing in their estimation to be judged of man's judgment; for if that judgment be favourable, it may have been purchased at the cost of uttering smooth words of peace, when these were not sanctioned by God's word; and if it be unfavourable, this may arise from a faithful, but an unpalatable, enforcing upon ungodly men the bitter truth, that without faith and without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Such being the case, you perceive at once that there can be no adequate inducement held forth to them, to falsify the message with which they are sent; whilst every thing that can make men honest in the discharge of their duties-every promise and every threatening-combines to preserve them from corruption. Still, however, they are conscious, and do not desire to conceal it, that they "have this treasure in earthen vessels :"-that, as fallible men, they may, any one of them, err; and for the remedy of this, so far as you are concerned, † 2 Cor. iv. 7.

* Revel. xxii. 18, 19.