unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.' Luke xii. 41-43. For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou has not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where 1 have not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own

with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matt. XXV. 14-30.- -If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.' Rom. XV. 4. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.' Heb. i. 1, 2. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.' Prov. xxx. 5, 6.—if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth. Give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.' Luke xi. 41. • Let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him.' 1 Cor. xvi. 2. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Acts xx. 33-35.--that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ. I pray, that 'I your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.' Phil. i. 9-11.to whom be praise and dominion

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.' Rev. i. 5, 6. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.' Ps. ciii. 1-4.

SECT. IX.

Chap. IV. 12-19.

12 BELOVED, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange 13 thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with ex14 ceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken 15 of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil16 doer, or as a busy-body in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of 18 God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where 19 shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Where

fore, let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened

unto you. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.' Mal. iii. 3. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.' Isa. xlviii. 10, 11. Thou, O God, hast proved us: and thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.-Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads: we went through fire and through water; but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.' Ps. lxvi. 10-12. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.' Heb. xii. 6. but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.' Phil. iv. 4. Thus PETER and the other Apostles departed from the presence of the council' by whom they had been beaten, and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.' Acts v. 41, 42. "Whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.' Heb. xiii. 7, 8. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.' James i. 2-4. 6 It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.' 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.' Rom. viii, 16, 17.--that, when his glory shall

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