Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 1.pdf/309

 those in whom the life of heaven is formed within. All, without reference to the inner life, may be enclosed in the doctrine of religion, but none except the few, or rather the good, will be chosen; that is, "gathered into vessels." Nothing is easier than a doctrinal profession of truth; yet nothing is so safe as the actual possession of religion in the heart. Although the doctrine of the chuch encloses all of every kind, yet we must remember that the net is to be lifted out of the sea, and drawn to shore for minute inspection of its contents. Men of every kind from the mere sea of scientific knowledge or profession, may and will be found together, all apparently actuated with the like zeal, destined to partake of the same honour, of the same glory, and to eat of the same bread; yet upon an interior inspection, how widely dissimilar will be found their motives! Selfish and worldly are the motives of the bad fish, and their professions are but as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals! they will be detected in the examination.

This instructive parable ought to make a deep impression upon the mind; for the Lord connects it with our future state. He says, as the net is drawn to the shore, where the good are preserved and the bad cast away, "So shall it be at the end of the world (consummation of the age), the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." What is it that makes a man good and heavenly minded? it is surely not mere outward profession of doctrine, for this can be made without any change of life. It cannot, therefore, be this, because although the net contained of