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THE FISHING-NET.

MATT. XIII. 47-50.

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

THE gathering of men into Christ's Church is here compared by our Lord to what is done by a Net. The Net is let down, and cast into the sea—that is, the Gospel is proclaimed in the world; and men are gathered into Christ's kingdom by it, as Fish are enclosed by a Net. Of those who are thus enclosed, some are good and some are bad; some amply repay the labours of the fisher, and some are utterly worthless.

But let us take the Parable piece by piece.

The comparison of a Net was a very suitable one at the time when our Lord spoke it, for He was then near the Sea of Gennesaret ; and perhaps many a little fishing-boat was in sight, engaged in its busy work. This same idea was in His mind on another occasion, when, as He saw Andrew and Simon one day casting their net into the sea, He said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

In the Parable before us, then, our Lord compares the Gospel to a Net; and if we consider a little, we shall see that this comparison was a most fitting one.

First-No means are so effectual for catching fish as a Net. Other means are used; but none are so effectual as this. So the Preaching of the Gospel is the great, means of gathering souls into the Church, and bringing them to Christ. He uses other means, but this is the chief. Our Lord's command to His disciples was, "Preach the Gospel." And St. Paul speaks of "the preaching of the cross as "the power of God."

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Every time a Minister preaches, he throws the Gospel net. He throws it in faith, according to the Lord's command, and looks to

Him for a blessing. Nor does he stop there. He is a fisher of men at all times. Wherever he may be, his work is to cast the Gospel net so as to enclose as many as he can within the folds of salvation, and to bring lost ones to the shore of safety.

Secondly-The Fisherman's success depends upon the skill which he employs. The Net, as it lies in the boat, is useless. As long as it remains there, no fish are gathered.

So the Gospel must be set forth. It must be preached. The word must be spoken in men's ears, and applied to their hearts. It is not enough that you sit at home, and read your Bible. It is well to do this. But something more is needed. It is God's will that

"Faith cometh by

His Word should be heard. hearing." And why is this? I answer, such is His will. "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”

Some people set a higher value on the Sermon than they do on the Prayers. But this is clearly wrong; for what can be more important than for needy sinners to draw near to a God of mercy? But still, how immensely

important is preaching! By it souls are won, and sinners saved. By it men are brought upon their knees, and are taught the value of prayer.

But I said something about Skill. Skill is needed for the fisherman; for if the net is cast into the sea by unskilful hands, the labour is in vain. And is not skill also needed in throwing the Gospel net? It is written, "He that winneth souls is wise." Oh, it needs the highest wisdom, and the greatest skill, to catch men. Our Lord's charge to the first preachers of His Gospel was, "Be ye wise as serpents." And St. Paul says, "Being crafty, I caught ye with guile." God forbid that we should exalt man's wisdom. I know that learning alone will not make a man an able minister of Christ. St. Paul tells us that "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, that no flesh should glory in his presence." And the Apostle says of himself, "I came among you not with excellency of speech or of wisdom. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus

Christ and him crucified. And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." Still ministers must act wisely. They must bring all their skill to bear. They are called upon to explain the deep things of God-to point out the way to heaven. "The priest's lips (says Malachi) should keep knowledge." And Solomon tells us, in the Book of Ecclesiastes, "Because the Preacher was wise, he sought to find out acceptable words."

Ever pray then for your Minister, that he may be endued with the Holy Spirit, and thus be a successful preacher-that he may throw the net skilfully and rightly—that he may draw numbers into it, and win many souls to Christ. How was it that St. Peter, when he let down his net on the day of Pentecost, gathered three thousand souls for Christ? It was because the Holy Spirit was poured out in large measure; and such power was given to the Preacher's words, that hearts were touched, and souls awakened. May a like power accompany the preaching of God's Word in the present day!

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