to the end that being advertised of the danger he is in, every one may the better stand upon his guard, and take care lest he fell. Moreover as to the preacher, he ought not note, or point out any one in particular: for this would be a great imprudence in him, because he would hereby reap less fruit, and give great occasion of scandal. Wherefore it would be very ill done to think, and still worse to express, that this was said for such a one, this for another; and it would be forming a very rash judgment of the preacher to think that he had anything so unreasonable in view. But though, both on the preacher's and the auditor's part, there ought to be a great circumspection in this matter, and that it is always very good that every one takes what is said as said to himself, yet I would not that any one should frame to himself, that the preacher had a design to point him out; for such a thought as this must never enter into our minds; but what I desire is, that laying our hands upon our hearts, we confront our life and actions with the doctrine he preaches, and say to ourselves, certainly what he says may very well be addressed to me; I have great need of this warning, it is God that has put this into his mouth for my good. In this manner we shall let nothing pass, from which we may not derive some fruit, either for our amendment, or our greater perfection. The gospel takes notice, that after the discourse our Saviour had had with the Samaritan, she said to all she met with, " Come and see a' man who has told me all things that I have ever done." (John, iv. 29.) When the preacher speaks in this manner to his audience, and tells them what passes in their hearts, then he may securely judge that he effectually makes a good sermon, and that his exhortation becomes fruitful.
In the last place, we ought to be convinced that the word of God is the nourishment and sustenance of the soul; and therefore we should always endeavour, in every exhortation we tear, to carry something away with us, and conserve and lay it up in our hearts, whence we may obtain more strength and force to begin anew. " The grain which is sown in good ground," says our Saviour, " signifies those who hear the word of God with a heart well disposed; and retain the same, and make it bring forth good fruit in due season." (Luke, viii. 15.) St. Gregory explaining this passage says, that the body is in a very bad state of health, when the stomach cannot keep or retain any nourishment, but throws up whatever it takes. (Hom. 15.) In the same manner, the soul is in a dangerous
