Israel, they would see the more extensive signification which this portion of God's word bears to the Church of God under the new Covenant.

By the "mother's children," I understand mere professors in Christ's church: members of the Church visible: (externally children of the same mother:) pretenders to godliness: "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:' holding with the most bigoted perversity to the mere externals of religion-its forms and outward worship: but having no real piety—no true godliness of life in themselves and hating it even in others. Hence, "they made her keeper of the vineyards." By " vineyards," may be understood false churches: by her keeping them—her falling in with their corrupt worship, and observance of the vain traditions and ordinances of man.

And observe, the Church was obliged to do this by the influence of those false children. She does it not of her own will, but was forced against her will as it were "they made me," i. e. compelled me against my own will. And this produced a neglect of her own vineyard which she so humbly confesses.

iii. "Mine own vineyard have I not kept." --Every Believer has a part assigned to him in the Lord's vineyard. The Lord says to each "occupy till I come." Not only is the Minister of God to

labour and bear the burden and heat of the day in his Lord's vineyard, "The Church of the living God," but each Believer has talents, more or less, committed to his stewardship :-grace to exercise: -gifts to use, for the service of his Lord and for the good of his fellow Christians. EACH has a precious soul to discipline and keep for life eternal !

Reader, I plead with you on this behalf. I plead with you for one in whom you are most deeply interested-one most dear to you-one in whose welfare you cannot-you must not be indifferent. I plead with you, before God, for one who is ever with you-for one who will cleave and cling to you for ever!

One who came into this world with you, and whom, whether ye will or not, you must carry out: who will be with you in the "hour of death and in the day of judgement."

I plead with you for your own soul! that vineyard which the Lord hath given you to cultivate for eternity—that immortal spirit of life which with all its mighty capacities for good or ill, in the beginning came from God......and with the character here stamped upon it......must again return to the God who gave it.

How mournful at the last, will be the accents in which you shall lament your neglect of that vineyard!

I ask not what your vineyard may be. It may be more or less extensive.

It may be too that in addition to your own most precious soul-you have been charged with the care of other vineyards.

Parents you have the souls of your children. Teachers you have the souls of such as are committed to your charge. Pastors you have the flock over whom the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers! How solemn the charge, to keep the vineyard which belongeth to each of us!

Parents-take heed, that in the last judgement, your little ones do not testify against you, as the murderers of their souls!

Teachers-take heed, that you lead those committed to your charge to Christ, or else it had been well for you that you had never seen the light of Heaven!

Pastors-Oh! let us "work the work of Him that hath sent us, while it is yet day: for the night cometh when no man can work."-Whatsoever "our hand findeth to do, let us do it with all our might."

People are perishing: and souls are passing to eternity. We go but once through this world! We return not again, to recal neglected opportunities, or correct follies and mistakes.

1. John ix. 4.

Oh! that ministers and people may be made sensible of their mutual responsibilities.

Oh! that our people would pray for their Pastors. Then will God, oven our own God bless us ! -Then will the wilderness and solitary places be glad: and many a barren desert soul rejoice and blossom as a rose.

7. Tell me, O thou, whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon : for why should I be as one that turneth

aside by the flocks of thy companions.

The Church, though drawn to Christ, still has Therefore she seeks their supply

many wants.

from her great and good Shepherd. "Tell me, oh! thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest."— Notice then these words-(I) The earnest entreaty of the Church of Christ, "Tell me where thou feedest thy flock!" (II) The endearing title which she gives to her good Shepherd, "Oh! thou whom my soul loveth." (I) These words imply three things concerning Christ Jesus: that he is a Shepherd; that he has a flock to feed; and a place to feed them in.

Holy writ speaks in several places of Christ as a Shepherd of his flock. Thus the Prophet,' where

1. Zac. xiii. 7.

the Holy Ghost specially marks Him out as the chosen appointed Shepherd of the Father—“ My Shepherd." As such, He died for the sheep, and He will bring their full number into the Father's fold. Not one of them shall be wanting. "They are His, and none shall pluck them out of His hand." He is also called the "One Shepherd." -There are indeed others, but they are underShepherds, whom the one Shepherd, Christ Jesus, employs to feed His flocks. But He is the one Shepherd. God the Father will never recognize the claims of any other chief Shepherd. None other can claim the flock, for he purchased it with His own blood.

St. Peter calls Him "the Chief Shepherd," and well does the title become Him, who is God's Shepherd-God's Fellow.

From Him the ministers and Stewards of the Gospel, as under-Shepherds, receive their authority, to teach and admonish and feed the flocks over which He hath appointed them overseers. To Him they will have to render a strict and solemn account. St. Paul also calls Him a "Great Shepherd"-great to defend His flock in all dangers, to supply them in all their wants-great in His love, tenderness, and care, so that the flock can say-" The Lord is my Shepherd, therefore can I

1. Jchn x 21.

2.

I. Peter v. 4.