comfort ourselves against sorrow? At the awful thought our heart is faint in us; their doleful cry in that far country from whence none return is, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and 66 we are not saved,"*

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I urge this thought more upon you for the day of harvest is approaching; yea, now is. "For if "we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more "sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for "of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall "devour the adversaries. He that despised "Moses' law died without mercy under two or "three witnesses; of how much sorer punish"ment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, "who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and "hath counted the blood of the covenant, where"with he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and "hath done despite unto the spirit of grace? For "we know him that hath said, Vengeance be

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longeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the "Lord. And again, the Lord shall judge his "people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the «hands of the living God."†

These important instructions were primarily * Jeremiah, viii. 9. + Hebrews, x. 27—31.

included in the words on which we meditate, as addressed by our Lord to his immediate disciples; but unto us also is this word of salvation sent.

Religion in its varied rewards, may be considered as the period of harvest; "He that reapeth "receiveth wages;" the ways of piety are pleasantness and peace.

Is not the reward present? they who are truly godly, receive wages-they have the promise of the present life—not only natural existence, but of that better and nobler life which they live towards God, renewed in Christ Jesus. Inward satisfactions which the world can never impart ; a peace which passeth all understanding; joys unspeakable which are full of glory; and hopes bright, radiant and refreshing, are some of the present payments of the pious. "He that reapeth,

receiveth wages.

Guided by the text, how applicable are these views to ministerial services. Their work is their wages and happy is the pastor or parent, who can say, looking to his flock or his family, " For "what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing P "are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus. "Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and

"joy.

Their payment is present-they have souls for their hire. "He that reapeth receiveth

Again; are we not reminded that the reward of piety is certain? An established fact is here referred to :-the peasant who reaps a field is paid in the success of his employer, who is himself rewarded in the treasures of harvest; it has ever been so, if not invariably among men, yet no good word of all that God has spoken has failed, all has come to pass. So certain are the wages of the reapers, that they do not depend, as the profits of the master, on the produce gathered, or the price obtained at the market; and "should not Israel be gathered," yet shall your reward, ye diligent reapers, be from me, saith the Lord; should there be a loss on the crops, it shall not be yours; "For * we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in "them that are saved, and in them that perish."†

They who work in the service of God, receive a liberal reward; these wages deserve the name; though we come into the field the last, we receive every man his penny; it shall be so hereafter it is so now. I ask the private Christian, is not

* 1 Thessalonians, ii. 19, 20.

+ 2 Corinthians, ii. 15.

your work rewarded? Are you not well paid? Observe the difference in mercy, between your lot and that of the Old Testament saints; their case may be illustrated by this parable of our Lord,

But which of you, having a servant plowing or 46 feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, "when he is come from the field, Go and sit down "to meat? And will not rather say unto him, "make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thy"self, and serve me till I have eaten and drunken; “and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth "he thank that servant because he did the things "that were commanded him? I trow not. So "likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which "was our duty to do."*

Under that covenant of works, when they had done all, were they thanked?--I trow not; but of you he has said, you are no longer such a servant, but my friend; yea, friend; yea, he does thank for your kindness even to the poorest of his members, as though a personal favor were done to himself.

you for

Notice the superior liberality of reward in your case. Happy indeed in this sense are your eyes for they see, and

* Luke, xvii, 7—–10.

↑ Matthew, xxv. 45. :

your ears for they hear, what kings and prophets desired to see and hear, but died without the favor!

I appeal to the Christian parent, if the reward is not liberal beyond precedent. In the house of the pious Jew, the law was daily taught, and the curses were to be repeated by infant voices; but now the very toil of tuition, is sweetened by the lessons of the lovely Jesus; you urge their obedience by his example they early lisp,

"Jesus who reigns above the sky,

"And keeps the world in awe; "Was once a child, as young as I, "And kept his Father's law."

You are not called to drive the lambs of your flock, but you draw them to you, by his love who took children in his arms and blessed them; they are won from their sports by the detail of his affection; their tender tears distil as the dew, at least the sight is as refreshing to your feelings; you hear not the thunders of justice, but the vow of mercy, saying, "It is not my will that any one of these little ones "should perish;" and while they attempt his praises, you are taught not to tremble, but believe that