heard, they should well understand their subject -be careful about their manner-look well to their aims and views-and depend upon the Holy Spirit for success. What the duty of the people:

First, Some kind of preparation previous to hearing the word-especially on the day devoted to public worship-composure-soliloquy prayer.

Second, How to behave in the house of God-early attendance--decency--attention to the preacher―guard against prejudice.

Third, Duty afterwards-recollection—to assist herein three expedients recommended.

1. Avoid as much as possible what may tend to dissipate the mind, and render it incapable of recollection.

2. Be not fond of hearing more than you can retain and digest.

3. Make a point of retiring for the purpose of recollection and prayer.

PART II.

THE DUTY ENFORCED.

II. Enforce the duty with suitable motives. First, Decency-good manners require our paying attention to those who speak to us-especially in a set discourse-it is an affront therefore to good sense and decorum not to listen to those on whose instruction we profess to attend.

Second, Personal obligation-the anxiety of a friend for our good a strong reason why we should regard him-ministers our friends-neither credulous nor self-interested men-their anxieties and labours an argument to engage attention. Third, Preaching a divine institution-artful men have taken advantage of this idea to impose upon mankind-preaching proved to be of divine appointment-how we may know who are called to preach-argument thence to persuade to consideration.

Fourth, Subject most worthy of attention-Truth and importance always give energy to a discourse-religion shewn to be most important— and true—the admitting the possibility of these two positions a reason for consideration-the apostles' reasoning on this matter.

Fifth, No profiting without considering—a discourse not understood, believed, or felt, can do us no good-it must be heard and considered to these ends--doctrine of divine influence an incitement to consideration.

Sixth, Many obstructions in the way of consideration-this our Lord shews in the parable-satan -a depraved heart-the world-this formidable confederacy an argument to excite diligence on our part. Seventh, Command of God-so great a Being ought to be obeyed-the voice of reason, scripture and ministers, all uniting to persuade us

to consideration, the voice of God-wilful opposition to him the greatest sin and deserving of greatest punishment.

Eighth, Benefits resulting from consideration-objections answered--" Consideration, if not im practicable, yet painful, laborious business""I may be convinced of what I don't care to believe"" if converted must give up many enjoyments"--advantages attending religion-in this life-the future-sum of the argumentaddress to hearers.

4*

DISCOURSE I.

Of Parables in general; and the leading ideas of this in particular.

PART I.

MATT. xiii. 3-9.

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold a sower went forth to sow. And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way-side, and the fowls came and devoured them up. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had not root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns: and the thorns sprung up and choked them. But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

OUR divine Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, possessed the qualifications of a prophet in their highest perfection. No one ever taught like him: he spake with authority, not as the scribes. Sen