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 In this wonderful sermon, Our Lord teaches us to consider the whole range of nature: — the flowers, the birds, the animals, our own body, our soul, our imperceptible growth: — so that we may use it all to raise our thoughts to God. He would have us use natural things in a higher way than we are inclined to do, and with a more penetrating eye, as the Image of God. The heavens are His throne; the earth is His footstool; the capital of a kingdom is the seat of His Empire; the sun rises and the rain falls to assure us of His goodness. Everything speaks of Him: He has not left Himself without witness.

We have already noticed how Our Lord uses the saying in St Luke, 'Be not lifted up on high/ to express anxiety, as representing the state of one who knows not on what or whom he may lean, and who constantly dreads a fall; and we have seen how we must avoid such a terrible state of fearfulness by firm faith in God’s support.

But of all the sayings peculiar to St Luke, in this sermon preached by the Son of God, the one that most inspires us with courage in our weakness and misery is this: — 'Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your father to give you a kingdom.’ In all that comes before, we are taught not to fear that we shall be left to starve,