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preachers and magistrates, but as so many witnesses to these facts? Every lock on our doors, every bar on our gates, every seal on our deeds, every security we give or require, all prove the same! Let us ask too our own experience. How do our imaginations rove: what a proneness to do what is forbidden! How uneasy are we under restraints. How ready to listen to temptation. What a false colouring do we put upon objects. How sensual in our inclinations. How forward to complain, if we cannot gratify our appetites. How much easier led by bad, than by good examples. How ready to apologize for our sins, or how desirous to extenuate them, or cast the blame on others! What does all this shew, but that we are corrupt. Let us not then attempt to hide ourselves from ourselves. Let us confess our transgressions to him who alone can forgive them, and be deeply humbled under the consideration of our fallen state. Let us learn from hence, also, how necessary it is that this nature be changed; "for except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."* Let us weep over our condition as

* John iii. 3.

sinful creatures, and look for pardon and peace through the merits of him who came into the world to save sinners. "His blood cleanseth us from all sin."* His grace can conquer all the rebellious passions of our nature, and render us happy in this world, and that which is to come. But,

Let us now pass on to make some enquiries as to those things which are considered as forming the highest enjoyments of human life.

WEALTH.

How much is wealth thought of and desired by the generality of mankind: but what is it? Can it ensure happiness? can it keep off pain? can it remove anxiety? Are the richest always the happiest? have they no thorn in their pillow are they "strangers to solicitude? have they no wants? How often do anxiety and care, ambition and envy, arise in proportion to

* 1 John i. 7.

the abundance of wealth men possess? What a snare has it often proved. How many on their dying beds may truly say, " this wealth has killed me had I possessed less, I should not have fallen a victim to intemperance. I should not have been so exposed to the world: but here, alas! I am ruined and undone, by the very blessings which should have rendered me more thankful to God, and useful to my fellowcreatures."

Our Saviour informs us, that "man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things he possesseth.' And the Psalmist says, "" men of high degree are a lie."+ We deceive ourselves, if we imagine that wealth constitutes felicity. External glare cannot produce, nor be a substitute for, internal quietude. The mind may amuse itself, by casting up the numbers; and there may be, doubtless, a pleasure in observing the sum total: but it is seldom such a pleasure that makes a man sit down and say, "I am contented; I want no more; I am truly happy." Hence Solomon observes, "he that

* Luke xii. 15.

+ Psa. lxii, 9.

loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their

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And what after all indeed is it?"Riches profit not in the day of wrath." Death can

not be bribed; and it is certain, it cannot be rendered less terrific by wealth. A crown of gold on a dying man's head cannot alleviate his pain, nor remove his fears. Nay, the greater his possessions, the more unwilling is he to leave the world. Such a place too have they occupied in his affections; such influence have they gained over his heart, that he has, perhaps, neglected the true riches. Though surrounded with every thing splendid here, he has been morally poor; his wealth has engendered pride, conceit, oppression, and infidelity; so that as he has been carried to his grave, survivors have had too much reason to exclaim, "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but

Eccl. v. 10, 11.

+ Prov. xi. 4.

trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness."*

It is true this cannot apply to all. Many on whom the Divine Being hath bountifully bestowed the blessings of his providence, have also been rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. They have disposed of their wealth in works of necessity and charity: they have been a blessing to their poor neighbours, the church, and the country at large. Thus it has been consecrated to good purposes. But how small the number of these, compared with the generality; and what a vehicle has wealth been for every kind of wickedness: and let us remember, that when not sanctified, it is a curse rather than a blessing. It is rather a chain to bind us to the world, than wings to fly above it. Even good men have found it a temptation; and some, like Agur, have prayed for mediocrity, "lest they should be full, and say, Who is the Lord ?"

Well then, reader, "Will you set your eyes on that which is not?" For there is nothing se

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