reluctance even by the best. To which, however, they are animated by this divine principle-hope. Hope stimulates the peasant: "he that plougheth, "ploughs in hope."

The apostle in the chapter before us, is com pelled to speak on a subject most painful indeed to one of a delicate, independent, and disinterested mind; so difficult, that a merely remote reference occasions a blush. The duty of such as receive spiritual benefit from ministers, is to communicate of their temporal things. This is the divine appointment, that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel; should be supported under their labors, that their undiverted and unbroken attention may be devoted to the grand object of their ministry: for it cannot be imagined, that the hope of any temporal advantage would either be an inducement or compensation for the toils and trials like those which the apostle met with, and which, more or less, are the lot of every faithful minister of Jesus. Certainly not. But their reward which is immense, is often remote,-souls are their hire. The commendation they seek, and the crown they shall receive, will be awarded when the Chief Shepherd shall appear.

In the mean time, though their labors like those of the ploughman, are such as require strength,

skill, perseverance, and may seem at present unproductive; yet they preach and pray, as the peasant ploughs" in hope." And it is, my hearers, a hope which in many of the persons before me, will not, I am persuaded, leave your minister ashamed, in the day of our Lord Jesus. Would to God he could add, he shall present every one faultless before Christ at his coming!

It will however, be our purpose at this time, to illustrate this one position. That those more diffi cult duties of religion which do not promise imme→ diate advantage, yet should be promptly and perse. veringly engaged in. "He that plougheth should "plough in hope."

We shall see the propriety of applying the sen timent of our text, primarily to

Repentance towards God: this is indeed the gift of God, but clearly the duty of man. The human heart naturally, is hard, unproductive, and useless as the barren and untilled ground; and it becomes more obdurate and impenetrable by a long continuance in this state. By powerful convictions of sin, excited by the law of God, terrors of con science, or alarming providences, the man is roused, and is called "to repent for the kingdom of heaven " is at hand."

Painful, tedious, and distressing as this toil is, it is preparatory to that state of rich cultivation which is the honor of the christian character. It is a means to an important end-it is indeed the commencement of heaven-but the remotest link in that chain which is salvation.

To this important and essential duty, scriptural injunctions are frequent. Like all commands to man in his fallen state, they refer however, rather to his duty than to his ability; they shew what he ought to do, rather than what he can do. Never lose sight of this idea, that " God it is that worketh in

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you, to will and to do his good pleasure;"* that in urging on you the necessity of repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, I send you not to make bricks without straw, but laboring to convince you of the need of what is not within the limits of your native power, that you may exclaim with a heart broken for sin, and with a face furrowed with tears, "Turn thou me and "I shall be turned." Unless our fields are ploughed, there will be no harvest. "Except ye repent,

Sorrow for sin, grief of heart, and hatred to all evil, are included in true repentance; combined with faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, for full and free remission.

* Philippians, ii. 13.

And is not this difficult? Are not patience and perseverance required? Is there no delay evinced for our trial, and to quicken our exertions, when we earnestly and with many tears ask even for those crumbs of mercy which fall so plenteously from our Master's table? Is there no grief of heart and vexation of spirit, when a poor contrite sinner, filled with a sense of his own ways and doings, which have been evil, wishes to go in unto the King, yet fearing that he shall as he deserves, be broken with a rod of iron, rather than welcomed with the sceptre of mercy?" The spirit of a man "sustaineth his infirmities, but a wounded con"science who can bear."

Now I rejoice that many here, have sorrowed to repentance. They can at once describe the mental process, can see and feel the propriety of this illustration, and declare that their hopes which were nearly cut off by misgivings and delay, have not left them ashamed, for godly sorrow worketh repentance not to be repented of, nor will it be forgotten. "For behold, this self-same thing that

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ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness "it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of your"selves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear,

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yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, "what revenge!"* Here is described that ardu

* 2 Corinthians, vii. 11.

ous effort of mind, to which alone, hope of a successful result, acts as the powerful motive.

Then those of you who are convinced of sin, and are sorrowing in the bitterness of your spirits, persevere. Allured by the pleasures and produc tiveness of religion, you wished to put your hand to the plough; you heard us speak of the joys of harvest, of the satisfactions of repose, of the sweet fields laden with the fruits of piety, but perhaps overlooked the previous labors and the long wait ing which were implied. You considered not the toil, the tediousness of preparatory services.-But do not relinquish your object. Be not weary in well-doing; "in due time you shall reap if you faint "not." Cast not away your labor, which hath great recompence of reward: the work is not in vain ; the vision is yet for an appointed time; it will not tarry beyond that period, it will surely come. Your tears; your prayers; your purposes after new obedience, made in distrust of yourselves and dependance on God; have come up in memorial before him. The hour of relief is at hand; be not disheartened by the apparent want of success. I pity your fears, I know the wormwood and gall of your present sensations; but be of good courage, wait on the Lord and he shall strengthen your heart, learn a lesson from your daily labor,-" He "that plougheth should plough in hope."