is hard to meet that. It is hard to be laughed at, and abused, and despised, for Christ's

sake.

Depend upon it, it costs something to be a true Christian. It is not enough that there be the green blade of profession: there must be also the root of grace. There must be that within us, which will stand the trial, in whatever shape it comes.

Oh that God would give us more real earnestness and fixedness of heart!

The Parable further tells us that some of the seed "fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked it.”

Here was a better prospect of success to the Sower. Here was some depth of soil. The blade made its appearance above ground, and the root laid firm hold below. But along with it sprang up weeds and thorns; and these grew so rank and strong, that they soon overpowered the good seed, and fairly killed it. You see, in the last case the stones spoilt the root in this case the thorns spoil the fruit. Our Saviour's explanation may be found in ver. 22. It is this-" He that received seed

among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and (as St. Luke adds) the pleasures of this life, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."

This is certainly a more promising Hearer than the last. His heart is really impressed. He is thoroughly aroused. He goes away with new and altered feelings, and honestly resolves to carry them out. He sees the hatefulness of sin, and determines to forsake it. He sees the beauty of holiness, and has a taste of the joys of a religious life. But he has not counted the cost. He does not consider that his poor feeble strength is but perfect weakness. He soon finds that sundry temptations beset his course.

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For instance, the Cares of the world press hard upon him. Take the case of some poor man or woman, who has perhaps family to provide for, and who finds it hard to make his little incomings sufficient for his daily necessities. He gets behindhand. This brings cares and anxieties on his mind. He grows careless about his soul; and by degrees all his good resolutions are thrown aside. He

drudges on, as if the wants of the body were In this way the good seed is

his only concern.

very often choked.

Or Riches are his temptation. We will take a person whom God has blessed with enough and to spare. He is well to do in the world. He is a thriving man. His business prospers. He is tempted to set his heart on money. It steals away his affections from better things. It becomes the one thing needful with him, the all-important object in life. And presently God is completely thrust out and forgotten. No wonder that our Lord says, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter the kingdom of heaven." No wonder that the young Ruler "went away sorrowful;" for we are told that "he had great possessions." Here is another instance of the seed being choked with the thorns that spring up around it-choked by riches.

Once more-The world has Pleasures also, suited to tempt and entice the heart. Men love these pleasures, and live for them, though perhaps all the while they feel their thorough emptiness. And thus these pleasures, poor as they are, are constantly dragging the heart

downwards. God's Word is heard and believed. There is a power in it, which brings conviction to the conscience. But then the world's demands interfere with it.

Then comes the struggle. And oh what a hard struggle it is! Every now and then the question comes, Shall I give up the world with all its charms, or shall I give up my Saviour? There is a strong desire at times to serve Christ, and yet an unwillingness to leave all and follow Him. Yes, all; for all must be given up at least we must be ready to part with everything, even what is most dear to us, if He should demand it of us. And do not many stumble at this stumbling-stone, turn back, and go no more with Christ? Here again the good seed is choked and rendered unfruitful-choked by worldly pleaNow whatever earthly feeling has at this moment possession of our hearts-whether it be the cares of the world, or the riches of the world, or the pleasures of the worldit must be put away, and that speedily, or the salvation of our soul is imperilled. Do not mistake me. It is possible to occupy ourselves with the ordinary callings and duties of

sures.

this world, and yet all the while to be doing God's work, and that faithfully. We may be rich too, and yet not set our heart on riches; our treasure may be in heaven. Let us only take care that no earthly thing is allowed to engross and fill our minds, or it will be quite sure to thrust out better things, and destroy the work of grace.

Once more, the Parable tells us that other seed "fell upon good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold."

Here we have the earnest, believing, decided Hearer. This part of the Parable speaks so plainly, that there is no mistaking it. Still our Lord condescends to give us an explanation of it in ver. 23-"He that received seed (He says) into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

There is one thing specially to be observed in this Parable. It is that three unprofitable kinds of Hearing are described, and only one