sincerity. If we should persuade ourselves that a very little attention will be sufficient for the fulfilment of them, we shall be greatly deceived. He pours upon us his best blessings as the reward of our best services; but if we are remiss, he will not pass over our slothfulness. He punishes the negligent, in proportion to their wilful sins of omission. Our faculties, our worldly possessions, and every thing of which we have the use or disposal, are so many talents which he has entrusted to our care, and of which he will demand of us a strict account. He expects us to employ them for our own improvement, for his glory, and for the benefit of mankind :-and if we, in this respect, are faithful stewards, he will be a bountiful Lord. His approbation and favour will accompany us ;—and according to our diligence and fidelity will be the increase of our reward. In this sense it is peculiarly the case that "unto him that hath, shall be given, and he shall receive more abundantly." Has God blessed us with abundance of riches? He requires that we should make a good use of them. We must be grateful to him as the Giver; and must dispense them cheerfully not only for our own needful support and convenience, but for the benefit and assistance of such of our brethren as are in want. When our friends appeal to our bounty, it must not be withheld from them. The poor, the widow, and the orphan, have a sacred claim upon our compassion and beneficence ;-for they are the objects which the scriptures particularly point out to our notice.

We are to consider ourselves as, in some measure, God's stewards for them ;-and must, therefore, endeavour not merely to relieve their present distress, but to increase their substantial comforts. If our wealth draws off our hearts in any degree from the feelings of charity, or relaxes our dependence on God, it has become a snare to us; and we shall find it difficult to attain the kingdom of heaven. On the contrary, if we ascribe our prosperity not to our own might or to the power of our own hand, but to the favour of Him who is the bountiful Dispenser of all good ;-if we walk diligently in his ordinances, and observe his commandments to do them, "he will give his angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways."

Is it the will of God to have placed us in a state of poverty? Here we have peculiar encouragements to draw nigh to him,-notwithstanding the real and apparent hardships with which we are encompassed with regard to this world's goods. The distinctions of rich and poor belong only to the present life. In the life to come there will be no difference between one man and another, except as to their respective proficiency in religious qualifications. The gospel, by its mild and soothing character, is singularly adapted to the condition of the poor. It teaches them that men are by the divine appointment entrusted with different portions of worldy wealth and power, and that they must all give an account to their heavenly Father, of the use or the abuse of it. We

are not, therefore, to consider poverty as a mark of God's displeasure towards men, but as a state of life that he has appointed in his wisdom, to preserve that variety and gradation which have seemed good to him in the moral government of the world. Those to whom affluence is denied, escape from the cares and the particular vices to which the wealthy are exposed ;—and if they enjoy peace of conscience, a good understanding, and a pious heart, they possess a treasure which the world can neither give nor take away. Their prayers will ascend to the throne of grace, like incense from the altar, and will be favourably heard by Him "who resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." Their diligent perseverance in such good works as are within their power, and all the evidences by which their faith and piety can be shewn, will be accepted not merely as fruits of a holy life, but as fruits of the Holy Spirit: and "great will be their reward in heaven."

Are we yet enjoying the cheerful, sprightly season of youth, when every surrounding object has a charm, and the heart has neither been hardened by vice, nor corroded by care? We should earnestly seek that wisdom which will restrain us from all iniquity, and keep us unspotted from the world. This is the time of life for profiting by the wholesome instructions of parents and friends; for treasuring up in the mind the precepts of virtue and religion;-for subduing every evil propensity, and training us to habits of moral and holy discipline ;-and for giving

us activity in every good way. Whatever is habitual is easy; and that course of life which is in itself the best, becomes by habit and exercise the most pleasant. Those faculties of the mind which are invigorated by use, find there a congenial employment ;—and every practice that would tend to debase and weaken them by applying them to unsuitable objects, is avoided and kept aloof;-so that religion thrives in all its freshness, and has nothing to chill or wither it; and every person who devotes himself to it in early life, resembles that "tree planted by the water side,"-spoken of by the Psalmist," which bringeth forth its fruit in due season. His leaf also shall not wither; and look, whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper."

To persons of maturer age, and especially to those who have attained to fulness of years and to grey hairs, the words of the text ought to apply more as a truth sanctioned by their own experience, than as an admonition for the amendment of their conduct. They have, perhaps, lived to see the companions of their youth and the associates of their riper years sink before them into the grave ;-the observation of many changes in human life, of many revolutions of prosperity and adversity, has repeatedly assured them that the fashion of this world passeth away, and that man, at the highest elevation of earthly honour and happiness, is altogether vanity. Where, then, can they repose their substantial hope? Where shall they find consolation and peace amidst the

increasing infirmities of age? In communing with their heavenly Father, and "drawing nigh to him." Even in his sight the hoary head is a crown of glory, when it is found in the way of righteousness; and when an age of tranquil piety succeeds to an early and continued life of holiness, it exhibits the fairest picture of human excellence. If we are "faithful unto death God will give us a crown of life." If we persevere in his service, he will reward us abundantly above what we can either ask or think. If we honour him, he will honour us. From those who are so obstinate as to continue in a state of wilful sin, he will withdraw his love, and the aids of his heavenly grace. He will consign them, if they are impenitent, to everlasting sorrow and punishment. But if they forsake their evil courses, he is always merciful, and will forgive them: for he "desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he would turn from his wickedness and live."