though unseen, are yet eternal, and which will be for the just to inherit in celestial mansions of heavenly glory! Consider for one moment, the value of the SOUL-that SOUL which can never die—that soul which by our well-doing, we may fit for the neverfailing presence of God; and on the other hand by neglecting it, and living in "the wages of sin," will be to it eternal death. There are some persons not given to flagrant vices, but yet indulge themselves in some other species of animal gratification, yet flatter themselves with the notion that nothing serious will follow it. Others, again, seek pomp and splendour, magnificent houses, grand equipages, numerous retinues, and in their own light glide down the stream of life happy and contented, apprehending no danger. These remarks also extend to the commercial and the professional world. Absorbed in procuring wealth, and forgetting that it is our heart which is bent on such pursuit, we are labouring day by day for the meat that perisheth; meanwhile, religion and the care of our souls are forgottenworldly advancement and worldly gain form our most predominant desires, and we forget the inquiry in our text, "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" And there is one serious reflection from these momentous truthis, that a day is coming when we shall have to leave them all-to leave all that has

delighted our eye and charmed our ear-they cannot enter heaven! Too many excuse themselves by saying, that business and pleasure occupy them so much that they have no time for religion, or the like. And few embrace it, few live like Christians either in thought, word, or deed, for they cannot give themselves up to God, they cannot resign themselves to his service; their spirit is good, but their will is corrupted by their desires. The pleasure of to-day may end in the greatest misery to-morrow. The thirst for MAMMON in this life may quench the living waters of divine love in a future world. Therefore, my Christian friends, beware! Sacrifice not your heavenly treasure, for the gratification of possessing worldly wealth. Let not your happiness consist in a plant which can come up in a night, and perish in a night," but rather "seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.'

Alas! how many are priding themselves in their possessions, and who are looked upon by the world, not as to what they ARE, but as to what they HAVE. This is one of the characteristics of our present times, and as despicable as common! And what is the consequence? Men are induced to love the world more than God: to gather up a few more of this

*6th chap. Matthew, 33rd verse.

life's vanities, to put into their storehouse a few more of its follies before they can with worldly satisfaction seek the Lord, his word, and follow after his example, before they can lay hold on religion as a bulwark to their faith,—before they can bid adieu to the enjoyment of either sensual pleasures, or some species of animal gratification, imagining that no cheerfulness, no ease and alacrity, can be found in religion; that it is a docile, difficult, restraining, and incomprehensible doctrine; while the world is noisy, easy, and pleasant. If adversity enters their door, friends speedily depart; but as long as they are counted RICH in this world's goods, they are upheld and noticed by their fellow men.

Christian friend, let us attentively consider these things they may appear "little," but hear the warning of the wise man, "He that forsaketh little things shall perish with little and littler." The pleasures of sense may amuse us for a little while; the temptations of Satan may assail us, and we may not have strength to overcome them; we may taste of all the world offers out to us, and we may be allured for a time, but assuredly the end will be vanity and vexation of spirit in this world, as well as pain in the next. For what said Solomon? I made me great

66

works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards; I made me gardens and orchards, and I

planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: I made me pools of water to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces. I gat me men-singers and womensingers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that went before me in Jerusalem: also, my wisdom remained with me, and whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour : and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.' But there will be a profit arising from religious and good works-there will be a reward for the righteous: verily, there is a God that will judge the earth.

Doubtless, there are many who can confirm these truths. Set about, then, seeking the salvation of thy soul! let it not perish for want of spiritual know

* 2nd chap. Ecclesiastes, 4th to 11th verses.

ledge; but make such a provision for thyself as will endure when time shall be no more! "And I will say to my soul-Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?* They shall be God's, and he will burn them up with the world in unquenchable fire, with anger, and indignation!

Therefore, beloved, "take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or wherewithal shall we be clothed? but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." And with the eye of faith be ever looking forward to gain a place in that world which is to have no end : here you labour to no profit, but there you shall reap an ample reward for all your diligence which you shall have exercised in making your calling and election sure, for "whosoever," said our blessed Lord, "will lose his life for my sake, shall find it: " and every man shall be rewarded according to his work!

* 12th chap. Luke, 19th and 20th verses.