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Israel, and brought back word unto them, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

Num. xiii. 27. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and and this is the fruit of it.

Num. xiv. 6. And Joshua and Caleb, which were of them that searched the land.

Num. xiv. 7. Spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.

Num. xiv. 8. If the Lord delight in us then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.

Jos. xxiv. 13. And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do

ve eat.

Neh. ix. 22–25. Thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og, king of Bashan. Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it. So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would. And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit-trees in abundance: so they did eat and

Rom. viii. 16, 17. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Eph. i. 23. Ourselves also which have the first fruits of the Spirit.

1 Cor. ii. 9, 10. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God.

1 Cor. ii. 12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

2 Cor. v. 1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 Cor. v. 5. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who hath also given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

1 Pet. i. 3, 4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven.

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were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great good

ness.

Deut. viii. 18. Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get this wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers.

2 Sam. vii. 9. I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name like unto the name of the great men of the earth.

1 Chro. xxix. 28. And he (David) died, full of riches and honour.

1 Chro. xxix. 23-25. Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord, as king, instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him and all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David submitted themselves unto Solomon the king. And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

2 Chro. i. 11, 12. And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had, that have been before thee, neither shall any after thee have the like. 1 Kings x. 23. So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.

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Luke xxii. 27. Whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Acts iii. 6. Peter said, Silver and gold have I none.

1 Cor. iv. 11-14. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; and labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the earth, and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

1 Cor. i. 27. God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence.

1 Pet. iv. 14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.

2 Cor. viii. 9. Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he be

2 Chro. xvii. 5. Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his (Jehoshaphat's) hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

2 Chro. xxxii. 27-29. And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels; storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.

Isa. xxxviii. 1. In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. Ver. 3. And Hezekiah wept sore.

Isa. xxxviii. 4, 5. Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying, Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold I will add unto thy days fifteen years.

Deut. xxxiv. 1. And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah. .... And the Lord shewed him all the land.

Deut. xxxiv. 4. And the Lord said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes.

Deut. xxxiv. 5. So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord.

came poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich.

Matt. xix. 23. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. Rev. ii. 9. I know thy works and tribulation and poverty, but thou art rich. Matt. vi. 19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke xii. 15. Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Phi. i. 21. To die is gain. Ver. 23. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ; which is far better.

2 Tim. iv. 6-8. I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing.

:

Acts vii. 55. But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, oked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

Acts vii. 59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Acts vii. 60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

VOL. II.

F

We know that some rich men received the Gospel in primitive times; and the Holy Spirit, by St. Paul, does not forbid the possession of wealth; for he says, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us all things richly to enjoy that they do good; that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate." But I have sought through the New Testament, without finding one single permission to the pursuit of wealth, or of worldly distinctions. "Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content: but they that WILL be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

Some sincere Christians will say, "But how can the Gospel be spread without money? Places to preach in, translations, books, support of missionaries, needful travelling, all require considerable expenditure.” And do we think, then, that disobedience to the commandments of God, or ignorance of them, is the way to be blessed or made a blessing. Cannot we believe that the Lord will provide all that is required, since "to obey is better than sacrifice?" And surely now, through inspired apostles, we are furnished with principles for our guidance in these matters, which are of universal application. In three cities where St. Paul abode for some time, we know that in addition to unwearied pastoral labours, his own hands ministered to his necessities, and to them that were with him: and he says to the elders of the Ephesian Church, "I have showed you (the elders) how that, so labouring, ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Yet, he did not surrender his right to reap carnal things where he had sown spiritual things, when occasion required. The Philippians sent once and again to his necessities: and this point of faith and love abounded to their account; being an odour of a sweet smell,-a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But they are not exhorted to give more time and thought to the gaining of money, that they may renew their bounty. The beautiful assurance alone is given them: "My God is able to supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus."

There is nothing in Scripture to encourage idleness, or unnecessary dependance on the liberality of others. On the contrary, industry is a Christian duty; for we are instructed, "that if any man would not work, neither should he eat." But it seems to me that anxiety—all corroding care about temporal things, is forbidden to the disciple of Jesus; and that to be "without carefulness," is distinctly marked as his privilege, both by precept and example, in the pages of the New

Testament. He that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack. And so deeply impressed were the Macedonian saints with the truth that it is blessed to give, that the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality; for to their power, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; praying Paul and Timothy, with much entreaty, to receive their gift for the poor.

The world, the flesh, and the devil, are so constantly tempting us to turn aside from the holy commandments, that we are liable almost unconsciously to be guided by their maxims, rather than by the word of the Lord. Even the Christian knows by bitter experience, that to believe God, is the hardest thing possible; and were it not for our evil heart of unbelief, we should assuredly trust Him, who spared not His own Son, to bring in plenty of offerings for the service of His church, so that all the labourers He sends forth into the harvest might go, taking nothing of the Gentiles. And were His dear children purified from the love of money, the Lord could, and probably would, bless such a testimony to the power of His love, and cause it to reach the consciences of those who have this world's goods, so that there should be a pouring into the treasury, from many who first give themselves to the Lord, and then act upon the great principle, that being bought with a price, they are to glorify God in their body and in their spirit, which are God's. Many of us might have been strengthened to watch against dishonouring our high calling in a very different manner from what we have done, had we observed, that Satan is declared by our Lord and his apostles, to be the god of this world (John xiv. 30; xvi. 11; 2 Cor. iv. 4; 1 John v. 19). It should be a deeply practical truth to us, that our Lord Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father (Gal. i. 4); and that we are not to love the world, neither the things that are in the world: "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John ii. 15, 16). The character and standing of believers is as those who are given to Christ, out of the world (John xvii. 6); and His intercession for them is, that may be kept from the evil. "He that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one," for which cause Jesus "is not ashamed to call them brethren;" and we are addressed as "holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling," and exhorted: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

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