been lost. Then follows the full danger of the awful dilemma: then reign covetousness, and self-will the necessary consequence thereof, in the whole man; and he stands an exact illustration of the great Redeemer's truth, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”

Under the full weight of these fearful consequences from the possession of this world's goods, let us now give our earnest attention to the second thing proposed, in the serious consideration of the practical ends which this momentous subject teaches. Doth it occur either to the tender conscience of the real Christian, or to the worldly mind of the lover of this present life, to ask, in answer to what has been adduced, am I indeed in danger of perishing eternally because God hath blest my labours with increase; and must I indeed sell all that. I have and give to the poor?

The answer to these questions must proceed from ourselves. Every man who is rich, who is in possession of earthly comforts, our Lord hath Himself declared to be in danger: but it is because he may "trust" in his riches, and his temporal possessions. Every man, though not; literally called upon absolutely to relinquish his possessions and give them to the poon, must still value them so little in com.

parison with spiritual things, must sit so loose to the retaining and enjoying of them, that he may, through Divine Grace, ever be in readiness to have them taken from him, or himself through death taken from them. So only secured in spiritual superiority over the beguiling allurement of this world's goods, the Christian remains safe in the strength and help of God.

Thus considered, our riches, our many personal comforts are known and felt by ourselves to be but an entrusted talent committed to our care, on God's account, and hereafter to be inquired after at the tribunal of Christ. Let us then pray for this increasing practical consideration of all earthly things, with which God hath been pleased to try our faith in Him and love to our fellow-creatures, and let us use them simply for these ends. In our possession of the gifts and gains of this present world, we must be prepared for the manifestation of the Christian's test. Should that case occur, in the various issues of life, in which we might be called upon, for conscience sake, literally to part with all, and make ourselves poor in this world's goods, undoubtedly we should be bound to do so; and the refusal, the mind prepared to refuse, would place us identically in the very same condi

tion with him, to whom our Lord Himself once said, "Seli all that thou hast, and give to the poor."

If it be said that the literal obedience to this precept cannot now be enjoined, it may be answered, it is not the thing itself, so much as the temper and spirit faithfully to make such a sacrifice, which it is our especial business to look tó, each for himself.

It can, indeed, rarely occur that a man must literally part with every thing; but it always does exist an imperative precept to the Christian, who would be safe in his personal comforts, that he be ready, from the very bottom of his heart to do so, should a case occur, which, in honest conscience, should render it need

ful..

Is it asked, how shall we ascertain the agreement of our own use of this world's goods with the rule of Scripture, so that we be safe in the use thereof? First, let us ,may be certain, that what we possess is ours through honest gain, and a possession unsullied by deceit and fraud: for if we go on in the enjoyment of what is not ours, but, through wrong or violence has been appropriated from a fellow-creature's rightful claim, we may be assured that our enjoyment and our fellow-creature's loss are each registered in heaven to be inquired into at a future day.

Let our conscience then be at rest, in the possession of earthly comforts, by being enabled to testify, before God and man, that we possess and use our riches and earthly enjoyments of every kind, (so that they be in themselves innocent and good,) for these three ends the glory of God who gives them to us, in the overflowing thankfulness of a grateful heart; for our own moderate refreshment in this pilgrimage to eternity, in cheerful temperance, and occasional self-denial; and for our fellow-creatures' good in all the daily calls of a holy charity. Unless each of these ends be before us continually, we are in constant danger. The things of this world will get more and stronger possession of our soul and best affections, and we may then go on in the increase of our gains and personal enjoyments until it shall be said unto us, as it was once said to another in the confident security of a worldly trust, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee."

As a further guide for a right consideration of this momentous point between the use and abuse of the riches and personal comforts of this life, let us never forget this scriptural assurance, that no one is ever secure im the possession of any of the good things of this life, save that man alone, who remembers in his possession thereof that: " but one thing is

needful;" and knows and feels that that one thing is the care of the soul. It is this thought, practically applied, which, in the confession of our own frailty and weakness, and in faithful reliance upon God's strength, will be the remedy against the abuse, and the sure guide to the true and holy use of the talents which have been entrusted to our management. The temptation to trust in riches, the temptation to love any of those things which worldly wealth may procure, will be met by the Christian armour; and that, which abused leads to the curse of an eternal ruin, shall be made instrumental to the spiritual happiness of the humble and holy possessor. He will then make to himself friends, of the mammon of unrighteousness; that is, worldly goods, which cannot in themselves profit, shall be returned to Him who gave them; and when they cease in the better provision of an enduring substance, the soul, in its Redeemer's rich inheritance and purchased right, shall ceived into everlasting habitations."

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These views, in the possession of earthly comforts, can only be seen and acted upon by him, who, in the faith and remedies of the Gospel, hath deliberately made up his mind. to take thought for the care of his soul. If that thought be the leading and influential thought in what we do, and in what we seek to