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pluck up the root of those eager contentions, which so often divide even the nearest relations, and inspire them with mutual aversions, more invincible than the bars of a castle. (Prov. xviii. 19.)

And that a covetous desire of the enjoyments of the world may not create contentions, and engage us in pursuits that will be fatal to our souls, let us seriously consider the true value of things, and reflect how little riches can do to make us happy if we obtain them; and how very uncertain that life is, on the continuance of which our possession of them does so evidently depend. But, alas, how many are there, who are now as deeply engaged in their worldly schemes, as this rich fool in the parable, to whom God will, in a few weeks, or days, if not this very night, say, by the awful voice of his irresistible providence, Thy soul is required of thee! And then, what will all these treasures do to purchase life, or to allay the agonies of death? So far will they be found from being capable of this, that they will rather serve to increase and imbitter the surprise and anguish of those agonies.

Let it then be our labour and care that we may be rich towards God; rich in works of piety and charity. So shall we safely consign over our treasure to the bank of heaven, and shall be enriched by it, when we leave the world as naked as we entered upon it, and lose all but what has been so wisely and happily spent.

SECTION XL.

LUKE XII. 22-34.

AND he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens; for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have store-house nor barn; and God feedeth them: How much more are ye better than the fowls! And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the

grass, which is to-day in the field, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Are we not all conscious to ourselves, that on such topics as these, we need line upon line, and precept upon precept, as being too deficient in our regard, though God spake once, yea twice? (Job xxxiii. 14.) We see our heavenly Father crowning the earth with his goodness: to this day does he clothe the grass and the flowers with the same profusion of ornament! to this day does he feed the young ravens when they cry, (Psalm cxlvii. 9,) nor is the meanest species of insects perished. Still does he know our necessities; and still he addresses us in the same gracious language, and avows the same endearing paternal relation. The experience of his power, goodness, and fidelity, is increasing with every succeeding generation, with every revolving day. The life that he has given, is supported by his care; and the same hand that formed the body, nourishes and clothes it. Let us then cast all our care on him, as being persuaded that he careth for us. (1 Peter v. 7.) Feeble as his little flock is, it is the Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom; and we are unworthy of our share in so glorious a hope, if we cannot trust him for inferior blessings, and refer it to him to judge, in what manner our present wants are to be supplied.

Let the heathens abandon themselves to these low anxieties; but as for us, let us thank God, and take courage, opening our hearts wide to every sentiment of faith in God, and charity to men; and while we have this inexhaustible bank to draw upon, let us be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, so laying up in store for ourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life! (1 Tim. vi. 18, 19,) the very hope and expecta

tion of which, if our heart be set upon it, will give us incomparably sweeter delight than the securest possessions of this empty world, and the most ample magazines of its richest

stores.

SECTION XLI.

LUKE XII. 35-48.

LET your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, That he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if

the good man of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? and the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he Iwill make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the men-servants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant which knew his lord's will, and prepared not

himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes, for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

May our souls be awakened by these awful truths! and may we be engaged to gird up the loins of our mind, to be sober, and, watch to the end! (1 Peter i. 13.)

Great are our encouragements to diligence, on the one hand; and, on the other, dreadful will be the punishment of our neglect. The time of our Lord's appearance is uncertain; let us therefore always be ready; solicitous that, when he comes, he may find us so doing, as he has required: living not to ourselves, but to him, and employing ourselves about that particular thing, whatsoever it may be, which, all circumstances considered, we are verily persuaded, may most promote the great ends of life, and the important purposes of his glory.

How

How glorious are the rewards promised to such ! justly may they awaken our emulation! He will prefer them to stations of more honourable and important service. He will set them down at his table, and minister (as it were) himself to their delight, bringing forth the choicest dainties of heaven, and spreading before them an eternal banquet. Lord, may we, through thy grace, be found worthy to taste of that supper! May the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne feed us, and guide us to fountains of living waters! (Rev. vii. 17.)

On the other hand, let us seriously consider the punishments to be inflicted on the unfaithful servant. Let ministers, if such there are, who abandon themselves to a life of idleness and luxury; who stain their sacred character by intemperance; who proudly censure their brethren, and either call, or wish, for the secular arm to smite their fellow-servants, perhaps more faithful than themselves; let such hear and tremble. Their Lord may come in a very unexpected hour; (as indeed, when do such expect him?) and what are the stripes they have given others, when compared with those which they shall themselves receive? stripes which shall cut them asunder, and pierce deep into their very souls! How much more tolerable will it be, even for the worst of Gentile sinners, than for such !

Let all who are in any measure distinguished by the gifts of the Divine bounty to them, or by their stations, whether in

civil or sacred offices, attentively dwell on this great truth, so solemnly repeated again and again; let them consider it with a view to their own account: To whomsoever much is given, of him will much be required. May Divine Grace so impress it on their hearts, that they may be distinguished by present fidelity, and future rewards, in proportion to the difference, which Providence has already made in their favour! And may they never have reason to reflect with confusion and anguish on what is now their honour and their joy!

SECTION XLII.

LUKE XII. 49-59.

I AM come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled. But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the motherin-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughterin-law against her mother-in-law.

And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

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