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pose, (James v. 1.) "Go to now, ye rich | tering a picture of the world into our men, weep and howl for your miseries that minds, or of expecting more from it than shall come upon you. Your riches are it is able to bestow. Let us correct our corrupted, and your garments are moth- florid and gaudy expectations, and make eaten; your gold and silver is cankered, a sober estimate of its real amount. and the rust of them shall be a witness this purpose go sometimes to the house of against you, and shall eat your flesh as it mourning, rather than to the house of feastwere fire. Ye have heaped treasures to- ing. Behold there the untimely hand of gether for the last day." Such is the pre- death, taking away the desire of the eyes sent wretchedness and the miserable por- with a stroke, blasting the most virtuous tion at last of an earthly mind. Whereas, joys of humanity, tearing asunder the dearIV. AN heart disengaged from this ex- est connections, demolishing the painted cessive love of the world, would not only tapestry, and hanging up in its place the prevent all this misery, but likewise, give solemn sable and escutcheon. us the true relish of life, and make death | Such objects, viewed with seriousness itself easy and comfortable. and comfortable. Take away Take away and attention, are far more profitable than earthly things from a worldly man, and the gilded scenes of mirth and gayety; they you take away his all; but the same things check that wantonness which is the growth withdrawn from an heavenly minded of ease and prosperity, and lead us to reChristian, do not annihilate his fund of flect that this world is not our home, but a happiness. When the streams of created foreign land, in which our vexations and comforts fail, he resorts to the fountain; disappointments are designed to turn our when the creatures forsake him, he can re-views towards that higher and better state joice in the Creator, and joy in the God which we are destined to inherit. of his salvation. The good things he pos2dly. Be very suspicious of a prospersesseth have a peculiar relish, which earth- ous state, and fear the world more when ly minds are incapable of feeling. He sees it smiles than when it frowns. It is diffithe bounty of God in every gift, and the cult to possess much of it, without loving faithfulness of his covenant in every com- it to excess. The great enemy of our souls fort he enjoys. He, therefore, eats his is well aware of this, and therefore would bread with joy, and drinks his wine with give all his servants liberal portions in this a merry heart; and while he thus sits world, were it in his power. This was his cheerfully at the feast which Providence last effort in the train of temptations which has set before him, he fears not the intru- he addressed to our Lord in the wildersion of any unwelcome messenger to inter-ness, and when this failed he immediately rupt his peace. He is not afraid of evil departed from him. tidings, his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Prepared for all the vicissitudes of life, adversity can take nothing from him, which, in the discipline of his own mind, he has not resigned already. Nay, death itself, that presentiment so dreadful to the worldly mind, is to him, in a great measure, divested of its terrors: For he knows, "that if this earthly house of his tabernacle were dissolved, he has a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

There is not a more salutary maxim in religious concerns, than always to suspect danger where we feel much delight. If our situation be such as entirely pleases our natural desires, it is high time to look well to the soul, and to set a strict guard on our heart, lest, by these pleasing enjoyments, they should be betrayed and alienated from God, who alone has a right to them.

3dly. Make a wise improvement of the afflictions with which you may at any time Having thus endeavored to enforce the be visited. Beware of repining under them, exhortation in the text, it only remains or thinking them greater evils than they that I offer a few directions for the help really are; but rather believe that they are of those who are desirous to have their af graciously sent for the benefit of your fections weaned from the world, that they souls, to mortify your inordinate affections may rise upwards to spiritual things. to the present world. "Whom the Lord Ist. Let us beware of receiving too flat-loveth he chasteneth."-Nay, the season

able visitation of temporal calamities, is included in the tenor of that everlasting covenant, which is well ordered in all things and sure. Does the world then frown on you? Are you afflicted with poverty, sickness, pain, and reproach? Do relations grieve you? Do friends prove unfaithful? or are you bereaved of them by death? Neglect not so fair an opportunity of instruction, when you have experience itself to disgrace the pretensions of the world, and your very flesh is made to feel that it is both vain and vexatious. Remember that God has sent these rough messengers to bring you home to himself. Gratefully, then, comply with his call, and choose him for your portion, leaving the world to those who have no better sources of satisfaction.

final state shall be allotted according to his present behavior? Must not the foresight of this awful trial disengage his mind from the world, and cure his anxiety about earthly things, by producing in him an anxiety about matters of infinitely greater consequence? "Let your moderation be known unto all men," saith the apostle; THE LORD IS AT HAND." A more powerful argument could not be used. An habitual impression of this awful truth, that the Lord is at hand, that he standeth before the door, would effectually cure our feverish desires after earthly things, and awaken us to a deep concern about the interests of our precious and immortal souls.

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Finally, let us be wise in time, and give the supreme affections of our hearts to God, who alone is worthy of them; imploring, for this purpose, the aid of his Holy Spirit, to enable us to comply with his own gracious expostulation, (Isa. lv. 2.)

4thly. Look forward to eternity, and take a serious view of that world, wherein you must dwell for ever, after you have spent a few more days and nights in this." Wherefore do ye spend money for that Remember that heaven or hell must be your everlasting abode; and must it not be of the last importance to know which of these different states shall be your lot? Can that man spend his time and strength in the pursuit of trifles, who believes and who considers that he is hastening to ap pear before God in judgment, when his

which is not bread, and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your souls shall live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of David." Amen.

AND

EXPOSITORY LECTURES.

BY THE LATE

REV. JOHN LOGAN, F. R. S.,

OF EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.

WITH AN INTRODUCTION, BY REV. D. D. WHEDON, D. D.

EDITED BY

"THE MINISTER'S LIBRARY ASSOCIATION."

SIXTH EDITION.

NEW YORK :

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 346 & 348 BROADWAY.

M.DCCC.LV.

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