XVIII. SERM. this malevolent action was fuch as might naturally be expected: when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares alfo; and the fervants came and faid unto him, Sir, didst thou not fow good feed in thy field? whence then bath it tares? He faid unto them, an enemy hath done this. Then the Servants faid unto him, Wilt thou that we go and gather them up? But he faid, nay; left, whilft ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat alfo. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest, I will fay to the reapers, Gather ye together firft the tares, and bind them in bundles, to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn. Thus endeth this beautiful parable, which our bleffed Saviour not only delivered, but did himself graciously condescend to explain. He XVIII. He that foweth the feed, fays he, is the SERM, Son of man: the field is the world: the good feed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one: the enemy that fowed them is the devil. The parable being thus fairly explained by him who doubtlefs was best able to explain it, it remaineth only for us, who read, to make the proper use of it, by such reflections on the various parts, as may best tend to illuftrate the defign, and to enforce the precepts inculcated in it. And Firft, then: Thofe who accufe the Supreme Being as the author of evil, would do well to obferve, that the hufbandman represented in the parable fowed not evil but good feed in his field: and in like manner alfo. did our beneficent Creator, when he made all things, fee that B 4 XVIII. SERM. that all things were good. But when Sin and Satan came into the world, they indeed polluted this clear stream, marred his divine work, defaced the image of God, and spread error, vice, and deformity over the fair face of nature. God moreover not only fowed the good feed, but appointed alfo proper perfons to guard and protect it. In spite, notwithstanding, of all his care and caution, the fervants were idle and flothful; the careleffnefs of those who were fet to guard the field, excited the vigilance, and enfured the fuccefs of their adversary : whilft they flept, the enemy came, and fowed tares among the wheat.' Here, my brethren, let us ftop a moment to obferve, that this hath ever been the cafe with regard to the word of God. The fupineness and indolence of mankind in general, and particularly of those who XVII. who have been appointed to watch over SERM and direct human affairs, have caused all the errors and innovations, all the fects and herefies, which from time to time have altered, polluted, and disguised true religion. These have affifted and encouraged Satan to fow his tares in the field, and cover it with thofe baneful and pernicious weeds which choak up and destroy the rifing harvest. ; Our bleffed Saviour fowed the good feed of the Gospel his difciples watched it for a time, but foon grew liftlefs and inattentive when the enemy came, and fowed the feeds of error, atheism, and infidelity: these took root, fprang up, mixed with, and have ever fince been growing with Christianity. What then, my brethren, is the leffon which this part of the parable doth most natu ! SERM. naturally fuggeft unto us? XVII. Is it not plainly and indisputably this? that we should be awake, vigilant and active that we should not fleep as those did who were appointed to guard the field, but watch carefully to prevent, if poffi ble, the intrufion of Satan: tares enough are already fown in the field; it is our business to take especial care that no more be dropped in it. When those to whom the guardianship of religion and virtue is more peculiarly intrusted neglect their duty, then it is that error and fuperftition, bigotry and enthusiasm, rush in upon us. To this we are indebted for Arians, Socinians, Gnoftics, Popes, and Antichrifts; for all the idle fopperies that from age to age have polluted the sweet fountain of Chriftianity. To this we are indebted for all the various fects and herefies, all the caufelefs feparations, which have been made from the church esta |