The office of a Christian minister is arduous. He is to explain and enforce every part of man's duty; he is to search out and censure every sin. After all his labours he will see but little fruit. However faithfully he preach, there are but few who will hear aright. This our Lord had just declared in the parable of the sower. He then enforced His declaration with this most important caution.

The Importance of Our Lord's Caution⤒🔗

Our Lord elsewhere cautions His people to take heed what they hear; nor can any thing be more necessary than to be on our guard against error. But the caution how we hear was also necessary for the following reasons.

1. Because many hear in an unbecoming manner←↰⤒🔗

1. The generality are careless hearers ... They suffer their thoughts to rove after earthly and carnal things...
2. Many are critical hearers...
3. Many also are captious hearers. They will not hear any thing which militates against their prejudices. They cannot bear to have their favourite habits condemned. They are offended if their bosom lusts be faithfully reproved...

2. Because God Himself speaks to us by the preacher←↰⤒🔗

Ministers are ambassadors for God, and speak in Christ's stead ... What judgments may we not expect, if we slight it?...

3. Because every discourse increases either our salvation or condemnation←↰⤒🔗

Obeying Our Lord's Caution←⤒🔗

A humble mind will naturally receive instruction in a proper manner.

1. We should hear with candour←↰⤒🔗

We cannot too carefully divest ourselves of prejudices ... we ought to have our minds open to conviction. We should receive the seed in 'an honest and good heart'; we should 'receive with meekness the engrafted word'; nor can we hope to profit, if we do not cultivate this disposition.

2. We should hear with a desire to profit←↰⤒🔗

The Word of God is profitable for many blessed purposes; yet it cannot be serviceable to us if it be nor received in faith. But, when applied to the soul, its operation is very powerful. We should therefore at all times apply it to ourselves...

3. We should hear with humble dependence on God's Spirit←↰⤒🔗

It is God alone who 'teacheth us to profit' ... to Him therefore should we look for the teaching of His Spirit...

Let us then offer in sincerity that petition in the Litany:

That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace, to hear meekly thy word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit.