PROPOSITION XVIII.

OF LABOUR, LAWFUL AND NEEDFUL.

"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.”—Gen. iii. 19.

God's judgment upon Adam for his disobedience was mixed with mercy, for labour and exercise is good for both the body and mind of man.

When our hands are actively engaged in whatever useful employment the providence of God hath placed within our reach, we have one of the best safeguards from the temptation of the world; for Satan finds mischief for idle hands to do.

The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

Let us labour, working with our own hands in the thing which is good, that we may have to give to him that needeth. He that gathereth by labour, shall increase more and more; but he that will not work, neither shall he eat.

The hand of the diligent maketh rich, and with God's blessing, it bringeth no sorrow with it; but he that will not provide for his own, is worse than an infidel.

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Let us pursue our worldly business in a heavenly frame of mind, so shall we be made partakers of heavenly bread, whilst we are working for that which is earthly.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth it right for thee to do, whether moral or mental, in word or deed, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest.

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work, but every seventh day, or one day in seven, is the day appointed for rest; on it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, nor thy servants, nor thy cattle. It is a day set apart for rest-for quiet-for retirement and meditation, and for public worship. In ceasing from our own works on this day, and at other times of retirement before God, bodily rest is the required means; but the chief object is our spiritual edification, and publicly to manifest our allegiance to Him who hath called us with a high and holy calling.

PROPOSITION XIX.

OF RICHES- -THEIR USE AND ABUSE.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, but in heaven; for where a man's treasure is, there his heart will be also."-Matt. vi. 19-21.

How hardly shall a rich man, who trusteth in his riches, enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the seed of the kingdom in the soul of man, so that it becometh unfruitful in good works. He that maketh haste to be rich is not wise. The rich have many cares, and troubles, and trials, and temptations to endure, from which others are exempt. Let not the rich man glory in his riches, for riches make to themselves wings and soon fly away, having food and raiment therewith be content: man wants but little, nor that little long.

When proud Haman boasted of the glory of his riches, his soul was not satisfied; all this availed him nothing because poor Mordecai was suffered to sit at the king's gate. He had heaped up riches, but little did he think who should gather them.

If a man through imprudence or adverse circumstances, be obliged to compound with his creditors,

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and by a process at law, is discharged of any further obligations, if that man again become prosperous, the Gospel will not hold him guiltless until he has made up the deficiency to all his creditors in full.

Riches have their duties, and are given by a bountiful Providence in trust, as it pleaseth him, to be disposed of according to the will of the donor.

At the last day, when the Lord shall reckon with his servants, he that hath been faithful in his stewardship will receive his Lord's benediction-" Good and faithful servant enter thou into thy Heavenly Master's rest."

He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord; and that which he hath given, shall he receive again. Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt find it after many days.

Blessed is that Lord shall help The liberal man

man that considereth the poor, the him in the time of his trouble. deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things shall he stand. There is that scattereth and yet increaseth, and he that watereth shall himself be watered. him that fareth sumptuously every day, remember the poor man at his gate; and he that hath more than enough, impart to him who is in want.

Let

Finally, Let us, according to ability received, do good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of faith, such who believe in our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION.-Although the Gospel requires of its followers to shun every appearance of evil, yet a Christian's life is not barren of rational and innocent enjoyment and recreation.

"Religion does not censure or exclude

Unnumbered pleasures harmlessly pursued."

The interesting and varied walks in life, of friendship and benevolence; the pursuits of sacred and useful literature; the study of the works of nature, and of art and science, being pursued with prudence and an eye to God's glory and the benefit of mankind, afford ample opportunity for the gratification of a sanctified taste in the lawful pursuit of lawful things.

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."-Ecclesiastes xii. 13.

N.B.-The critical reader will no doubt remark, that the compiler has frequently expressed his own opinion in Scripture language, but has not always quoted texts in full, and sometimes has taken two or more passages bearing on the same subject, which are not found connected together in the sacred writings. He does not profess, in these instances, to quote the text of Scripture, verbatim and in extenso, (this would not consist with his plan of a brief Summary). It is true he has made use of Scripture language to express his own views of the subjects treated of, but he believes, he has, in no instance, applied any text, but in the spirit of its legitimate meaning.

RICHARD BARRETT, Printer, 13, Mark Lane

J. P.