heaven they desire; and to part with this, but which must be parted with, is all the death they fear.

Certainly to enjoy the gifts of Providence with moderation and thankfulness, and so as not to waste precious time on them, or interfere with the demands our fellow-creatures have upon us, is what our Maker and the bountiful Giver of all things will approve.

But to be so absorbed in sensual gratifications, and nailed down and attached to earthly things, so as to have no settled thought, or plan, or aim for the good of others, according to our powers and abilities, and to advance the benevolent designs of him who giveth all things that we enjoy, is the mark and sign of a mind that is quite low, dark, and destitute of every good principle; or, in one word, entirely selfish.

IV.

Lastly. We may hence gather, what is that discipline that is to perfect the christian character, and fit us for our intended place and happiness in God's future world.

In all the applauded characters of scripture, the approved servants of God, we find them all either by their situation exposed to dangers

and

and suffering in the cause of truth and righteousness, or else voluntarily undertaking and denying themselves many things, to serve others and promote their true happiness. Such were Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Elijah, Daniel, Nehemiah, &c. Such were John the Baptist, Christ and his apostles.

We are not called out to fill such conspicuous parts in the plan of Providence, but we may make them important and useful, and be as acceptable to our common Creator in our narrower spheres, if we are only mindful in our several stations to do all the good we can, and endeavour, as far as lieth in our power, that our own improvement in things good and excellent, and that of others with whom we are in any degree connected, may be continually going on.

There is no accomplishing of this great work of human life, and at the same time wasting invaluable hours, which ought to be better employed, in a daily perpetual round of company, or giving into the fashionable scenes of dissipation, and passing from one amusement to another, even if it were possible to keep the mind untainted by them, and out of the way of sinful compliances.

For

For these scenes of hurry and confusion, and that idle sauntering and utter vacuity of all rational and useful employment, leave no space, as well as take away all relish, for serious thought, for self-recollection and self-government; without which, persons are utter strangers to their own characters, and can make no moral or spiritual improvement whatsoever.

And as our time, so our fortunes, which are equally lent us by our Maker, are not to be squandered away as our own vain fancies or the fashion of the times may dictate. Christ bids the rich "to make to themselves friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness;" (Luke xvi. 9.) or, as it might better be rendered, of transitory riches; to expend them in such acts of piety and righteousness, and to such benevolent purposes, as to secure themselves an eternal treasure, by recommending them to the favour of him who intrusted them with them.

They are forbidden to lay out an over-proportion of them in gratifying those who can make the same return to them again, but to support the needy and necessitous. And they are told; "They cannot recompense thee, but thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." (Luke xiv. 14.)

Yet

Yet did not our Lord himself, nor does the christian moral he taught, countenance a morose abstraction from the world, or refusal to be found in the social meetings of friends.

For his own practice was different, though his situation was so singular and extraordinary, and his time filled up with such important things, and necessary demands for every moment.

I mean his public life, of which alone we have any records.

But then, to draw to a conclusion, whereever we go, or with whomsoever we are, we are always to carry this along with us; that life is a serious thing; a beginning, preparatory state; in which we are to be continually labouring to make advances, and aspire after greater heights and attainments in virtue, and to approve ourselves to the perfectly holy, righteous, benevolent, and good!

This will not diminish, but heighten every innocent pleasure and satisfaction with which this passing state abounds, and will bring us by degrees, to sit loose to life itself; without which we should be unhappy, as we must soon leave it, whether we will or no.

So that whilst in the midst of many imperfections we daily thank our kind and merciful Creator

Creator for his large bounty which we have already experienced, we shall look forward with joyful hope to those unknown scenes in futurity, when we shall serve him more faithfully, and enjoy a clearer and more unbounded prospect of his goodness, which is over all his works, and which endureth for ever and ever!

Unto him be thanks, glory, and praise, for ever and ever!

PRAYER.

O God, blessed and magnified for ever! Who, out of thy boundless ineffable goodness, hast not only called us into existence out of nothing, and placed us in the high order of rational beings, but intendest us to live before thee for ever, if we are not wanting in fulfilling the part required for us for our own happiness:

Assist us, we beseech thee, in forming just sentiments of our proper business here, that we may not entertain the vain dream of living in thoughtless vanity and self-indulgence, which would enfeeble and unfit us for the hard task and severe trials, to which thou seest it proper to put us in this our first

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