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SERM. sation.

For what we lose on earth we VII. shall gain ten thousand fold in heaven.. For though godliness is in general. followed by a temporal recompence, yet in the present state of discipline this is not invariably the case. It may sometimes happen to us, as was the general fate of the primitive Disciples, that we may be exposed to temporal evils even for righteousness' sake. Now whenever we find a competition of service between God and Mammom, we are to yield ourselves intirely servants unto God: whenever there is a competition of interest between Heaven and Earth, we are to set our affections on the things of Heaven.

In the ordinary course of things we are seldom put to so severe a trial. Our duty and our interest are for the most part in harmony. So far is our Religion from forbidding all pursuit of worldly wealth, or all enjoyment of those good things which worldly wealth procures, that it rather encourages a diligent application to our temporal callings, and a sober and temperate use of those good things which the providence of God either bestows without our care, or supplies upon our industry.

It was the Apostles' admonition that SERM. we mind our own business', and that vII. we provide for our own household ". And as it is a duty in itself to do our part in life and to fill our station in society, so also is it conducive to the better discharge of all other duties whether social or divine; since it most effectually guards us from those temptations, to which a state of idleness would expose us, and it naturally forms us to those habits of sobriety and diligence, which are favourable to the growth of pious sentiments and the cultivation of religious exercises,

Thus also was it the advice of the Psalmist, that we taste and see how gracious the Lord is". By supplying us freely with the good things of his providence he virtually invites us to enjoy them. And by enjoying his bounties we virtually acknowledge him for the Fountain of goodness; thus we become disposed to pay him in return the incense of our gratitude; and while we offer him the praises of our lips, to yield him also the homage of our hearts and the service of our lives.

11 Thess. iv. 11. m 1 Tim. v. 8. n Psal. xxxiv. 8.

But

SERM.

But while Religion encourages a VII. temperate application in the pursuit of worldly wealth, and while it recommends a temperate use of those good things which worldly wealth procures, it discountenances an inordinate pursuit after riches, and an extravagant attachment to the comforts and conveniences of life; because this is apt to withdraw our minds from the search after that goodly Pearl, which is of greater price than rubies, and by necessary consequence to impede or hinder our attainment of that heavenly Treasure, which is of higher value than all the Kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. Whatever else we seek, we are first to seek the Kingdom of God; whatever else we dispose of, we are first to secure a place in this Inheritance: for this administers a peace, which the world cannot give°; this provides a joy, which no man can take from us o,

• John xiv. 27.

? John xvi. 22.

The

IN conducting a series of SERM. discourses on the Parables, it may be vII. proper at the close of this discourse to take some cursory notice of that short Similitude, with which our Saviour finishes his present conversation. This also relates to that Economy, of which he had been discoursing in parables, and which he repeatedly stiles the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus saith unto his Disciples, Have ye understood all these things? With the assistance he had given they were competent to say, they had. Hereupon he said unto them, Therefore every Scribe, which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a Man that is a Householder, who bringeth forth of his treasure things new and old.

A Scribe among the Jews was one professing to teach the law of Moses. a Scribe instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven is one who is competent to teach the doctrines of the gospel. A Person of this description, who freely

1

Matt, xiii. 51, 52.

imparts

VII.

SERM. imparts to others all that store of spiritual knowledge which he has attained himself, is compared to a prudent Householder, who produces, employs, and improves all kind of store both new and old.

Such was the character of Christ himself as a Teacher of righteousness; especially when he spoke in parables. By similitudes from the Old economy of Nature he described realities in the New economy of Grace. By the types and shadows in the Old dispensation of the Law he illustrated substantial truths in the New dispensation of the Gospel. And this mode of teaching he recommends to his Disciples, when they should become sufficiently instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven.

And that they followed this injunction in their practice Saint Paul affords a memorable example. For thus he states his method of teaching the gospel; Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law

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