THB CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 14S 



fitly representing the barren professor, having a name 

 to live but spiritually dead. Again, there are others 

 so much like the corn itself, that none but an 

 experienced observer could discern the difference be- 

 tween them; forcibly presenting an image of those 

 whose life and conversation so outwardly resemble 

 the true Christian, that none but the eye of an om- 

 niscient Judge can detect their insincerity. 



Lastly, In every corn- field there are plants of sickly 

 as well as of a luxuriant appearance, supplying a fit 

 emblem of the various characters which compose the 

 true Church of Christ. Some indeed are stunted in 

 their growth by various causes; others ripening into 

 the full measure of the stature of Christ, having re- 

 ceived a larger measure of the Spirit of all grace, and 

 enjoyed a more copious effusion: of the beams of the 

 Sun of RighteousBess. Yet all these must be per- 

 mitted to mingle together till the harvest. Each have 

 their separate uses; and as the wise husbandman is 

 content and thankful if the weeds do not overpower the 

 corn, so the wise Christian will be grateful to God 

 that errors both in doctrine and practice are not more 

 abounding than they are, being satisfied that in the 

 final issue and separation of the tares from the corH, 



