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. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

Thus we see, that Christianity is the art of setting bounds to our desires: and this is the secret of happiness. Hence it follows, that he who lets his desires run out after riches, and possessions, is not only not happy, but is far from the kingdom of God. rich man enter into the

How hardly shall a kingdom of heaven!

With what difficulty must he be saved, if he is saved at all, that trusts in riches, and makes mammon his God. Therefore," says the Psalmist, "if riches increase, set not thy heart upon them." Use them only as a means given you of God, to do good, and to distribute with; to feed the hungry, and to clothe the naked. This is to provide for them bags which wax not old, and to transfer them to that place where a cup of cold water given in faith and love, shall by no means lose its reward.

Thus has it been made appear, that all the Gospel forbids is, immoderate and excessive care

even for the necessaries of life, "what we shall eat, and what we shall drink," and that, because the whole creation is God's, and his goodness sustains it that there is, however, a particular and special Providence attending all those who seek first his kingdom and righteousness: that they are more particularly his children; and as such, shall be under the peculiar care of their heavenly father. To all that has been said on this head, I might add the testimony of good, but suffering men, in all ages. What is the experience of David? "I have been young and now am old, and yet saw I never the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread." No, my Christian brethren, be assured that none who ever truly trusted in God, and sincerely endeavoured to do his will in all things, and eschewed evil, were ever really and ultimately forsaken. Cares you may have; many and anxious cares. But still hope thou in the Lord, and be doing good, and verily thou shalt be fed. The Lord ordereth a good man's going, and maketh it acceptable to himself. Though he fall, he shall not be cast away; for the Lord upholdeth him --with His hands.

Prayer, you will remember, is the appointed means of obtaining your desires. Not to pray, is not properly to feel your wants, is not to express

that sense of your dependence upon God which you say that you feel. It is true, that he knows our necessities before we ask, and that we have need of all these things; but still he would have us sue to him for his blessings. "Ask," says our blessed Redeemer, "and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened." To which add those words of the Apostle. "In every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make known your requests unto God."

But you will also remember, that though it is from God, the fountain and source of all blessings, yet it is through their proper conveyance, even Jesus Christ, that we receive the commonest of his mercies. 66 Verily, verily, said Christ to his disciples, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name, Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. At that day ye shall ask the Father in my name; and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you; for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and believed, that I came out from God." By Him, we have redemption, through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. He is the bread of life; the nourishment, the support, the very life of our

souls. He that cometh to Him, shall never hunger, and he that believeth on Him shall never thirst. “He is the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed."

How therefore, my brethren, having thus given us his Son, shall not God, with Him, also freely give us all things!