other, that if we pay a decent regard to religion, and give up a little time and attention to GOD, salvation, and eternity, this is as much as the words require of us.

We shall find, that, in most affairs, what is just and right, lies between the two extremes; and a few observations will convince you, that the rule is true in this instance also, You have doubtless heard, my friends, that, in all ages of christianity, there have been many professors of the gospel, who have entirely gone away from the society of their fellow men; shut themselves from the world; passed their lives in solitude; denied themselves the comforts of life and oftentimes inflicted pains, mortifications, and torments, upon their bodies, thinking" thereby to do GoD service." Now, though all this may have been conscientiously done, yet we cannot but consider, that it arose from a very mistaken view both of the spirit and commands of the gospel of CHRIST. They both unite in speaking this simple language; that no life can be pleasing to Gon, which is not useful to man; that a considerable part of our duty lies in the world, among our brethren in the flesh; and that the great secret of true christianity, consists in our living in the world, and yet keeping ourselves "unspotted" from

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it; or, in the Apostle's words, in "passing through things temporal, as finally

not losing the things eternal." If a man retire entirely from the world, and shut himself from all converse with his brethren in it, it is a clear case that he wishes to live for himself alone; which, according to St. Paul, is directly contrary to that condition here below, for which GoD designed him : for "none of us liveth to himself, and no "man dieth to himself;" that is, no human being is so poor or low in life, that he may not be of some use in the world, if he is inclined to be so; and no one is so entirely unconnected with society, as not to be missed, (provided he tries to do his duty in it) in some way, or by some person, when he dies. If a man be rich or powerful, he may benefit his fellow-creatures, to a great extent, by using his riches, and exercising his power, in a benevolent and discreet manner; if he be wise and learned, he may instruct and improve them; and even if he be poor and ignorant, he may fill up a very useful place in society by honest industry. But above all, both rich and poor, great and small, may do an infinite deal of good in the world by the force of example; by manifesting, in their own behaviour, how prosperity is to be used, and how adversity is to be

borne; by shewing to others, (and thereby teaching them to do the same,) how to unite mercy with authority; liberality with riches; meekness with wisdom; patience with tribulation; content with poverty; and honesty, industry, sobriety, and obedience to superiors, with a lowly estate. So true it is, that men may at once "seek the things that are "above," and yet fulfil all the duties of an active life in the world; that they may both live to the honour and glory of GoD; and to the happiness and comfort of themselves and their fellow-creatures.

But I have said, that there are some men, who go into the opposite extreme; and put a meaning upon the text, equally false with that which we have been considering; telling us, that if we pay a decent regard to religion, and give up a little time and attention to GOD, salvation, and eternity, this is as much as the Apostle requires of us. It is a melancholy fact, that people of this description are much more numerous than those who put too strict a meaning upon St. Paul's words. The world, and its concerns, indeed, and the business and pleasures of life, are so constantly before us, and hold out so many baits to our passions, and natural corruption, that we are all in the utmost danger, of becoming slaves to them, and of forgetting,

in their pursuit, to seek those things that "are above;" and hence it is that the Apostle gives us that kind caution, "Love not the "world, neither the things that are in the "world; for if any man love the world, the "love of the Father is not in him ;" in other words, be careful that you do not place your chief affections on any thing here below; for if you do, it will be impossible for you to fulfil your duty to that good and great GOD, who has said to every one of us, "My son, give me, thy heart." Indeed, when we consider the unspeakable value of our souls, and the difference between time and eternity; when we take into account, that we are here only for a few years at most, and that we may be called hence be-. fore half the common age of man has passed over our heads; and that when we do depart, we shall be placed in a state that will last for ever, and be either happy or miserable, as we have done good or evil here below; we cannot help seeing, that our most important business is, to prepare for this everlasting state; and that, whatever the thoughtless or wicked may do or say, it will be our wisdom to seek, before every other object, "the kingdom of GoD and his righteousness." The time will certainly come, and that before it is long, when these

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christians, as they call themselves, (though they are only so in name,) shall find, that they have put a meaning upon the Apostle's words, which will ruin their souls. They shall find, that the duties of religion are in truth, and ought to have been regarded by them as, the most important business of human life; and that, while they have been, for decency sake, observing its forms, they have neglected that part of it, which alone can make it of any value in the sight of GOD,-a holy, christian, benevolent life. "Not every one that saith unto me LORD, "LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of "heaven, but he who doeth the will of "Father, who is in heaven."

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GOD, who created man for two worlds, the present and a future one, has mercifully ordained, that the enjoyment of both should be consistent with each other, and entirely within man's own power. For this purpose he has made the proper discharge of the duties of his temporal state, the best preparation for his eternal one; and decreed, that the fulfilling of those duties should, at the same time, be a means of pleasing his Maker, and promoting his own happiness.. He has told him to " use the world, but not abuse "it" not to neglect "the things temporal," but to have them in subjection to "the