are little suited to administer the joy they promise. And whose experience doth not witness it? we foolishly call the rich happy. But could we see their anxious care, their inward restlessness, the misery of desires delayed or disappointed, which sometimes attends even the most fortunate; could we know their constant fears of losing, and thirst for more, which suffers them not to enjoy their present gains; could we follow one making haste to be rich,' through all his toils and labours, his weary days and sleepless nights, and all his various vexations; we should be fully convinced of the truth of this, that he who increaseth riches increaseth sorrow. I may appeal to every man's heart who hath sought happiness from this quarter, if this hath not been his case. You promised yourself you should by and by be happy, when the other thousand was added to your stock, or the next purchase enlarged your estate: you had your wish, and yet you still wanted; something was lacking. You proposed new additions, and waited for your happiness again. But a new thirst urged you again to new toils and if the time should ever come that you shall think you have enough, and, like the rich man in the gospel, 'begin to pull down your barns and build greater; and are ready to say to your soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry: (Luke xii. 18.) then expect the final disappointment, in that alarming message, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.' (Luke xii. 20.)

Such is all the happiness of those who love this present world, and trust in uncertain riches more than in the living God.' (1 Tim. vi. 17.)

But hath not Christ something more satisfying to bestow; something more durable to give to

those who seek their happiness in him? Yes, verily. 'I counsel thee, says he, to buy of me fine gold, that thou mayst be rich.' (Rev. iii. 18.) Christ is a portion, adequate to the boundless desires of the soul; and the unsearchable riches of his grace' make the possessor at once affluent and happy. What are beds of sapphires, or rocks of diamonds, compared with that blood which sprinkles us from our sins; the pardon of the least of which the universe cannot purchase? Is not the gift of faith more precious than gold which is tried in the fire?" (1 Peter i. 7.) and every divine temper better than 'clothing of wrought gold?' These are present possessions, more substantial goods than the treasures of both the Indies. Yet here is not our abiding city' this is not our inheritance, our home. We look for an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, which fadeth not away. (1 Peter i. 4.) Treasures laid up for us in a kingdom, where moth doth not corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal. (Matt. vi. 20.) A mansion prepared for us in the city of our God; a city, whose streets are gold, whose gates are pearl, and whose foundations are precious stones.' (Rev. xxi. 10-19.) The moment therefore we begin to find our All in Christ, tormenting care and restless anxiety no longer disturb our repose we rise up in peace, for the Lord sustaineth us ;' we lie down without a fear of losing what we, have laid up with him who is able to keep that good thing we have committed to him against that day.' (2 Tim. i. 12.) Thus we can always. say, with the blessed Apostle, I possess all things, and abound.' (Phil. iv. 18.) We have learnt that great lesson, in whatsoever state we are therewith to be content; (Phil. iv. 11.)

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and find that godliness with contentment is great gain.' [1 Tim. vi. 6.]

Let any man compare this state of a soul walking in the way of righteousness with the former; and say, if such an one hath not chosen the better part. And this is not an ideal character it is, blessed be God! the experience of thousands, who every day go on their way rejoicing;' and of many too, who, under the severest pressures of poverty and want, find in Jesus Christ that hid treasure [Matt. xiii. 44.] they would not exchange for thousands of gold and silver. For God hath chosen the poor in this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised to those that love him.' [James ii. 5.] It is true, the present comfort which the riches of Christ administer above the vain fashion of a world which 'perisheth in the using,' may hardly be made evident to the worldly-minded, the god of this world having blinded their eyes;' [2 Cor. iv. 4.] yet it is experimentally known by those who possess it; and rejoiced in, as the most enduring substance, the most satisfying reality.

III. The world seeks to ensnare men's souls, and promises them happiness in the possession of honor. And indeed, to be distinguished in the world, treated with respect, spoken of with admiration, caressed by superiors, and imitated and admired by equals as a pattern: these are things exceeding pleasing to the heart of a natural man, and engage many far above the vanities of pleasure or the sordidness of gain. Yet doth the desire of worldly esteem remove the soul as much from true happiness as either of the former. joyment arising from the honour which cometh from man stands continually on a precarious foundation; it totters before every blast of dis

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respect, and ever rumour of malevolence. Even here below, like 'grass on the house-top, it often withereth before it is plucked up.' For what can stand before envy? The hopes of men, like bubbles in the air, usually burst as they expand. The labours of ambition are disappointed, the pride of honour mortified, the idol of reputation broken to pieces, and the friendships of the world generally faithless. Would a man who hath made this his road to happiness but reflect, he would be obliged to confess, that he had been torturing himself to conform to the humours. and fashions of the world, seeking a phantom of reputation light as a shadow, grasping after a distinction vain and insignificant, making his happiness depend on the beck or breath of a worm like himself, and storing up for himself many sorrows, which in the present chagrin he' must be often exposed to, or (if he should be happily brought to a sense of this folly and sin) in breaking those bands of esteem, and getting rid of the connections which were before the business and desire of his life. Indeed, it is not in man to create a happiness from himself; it is not in man to communicate it to others. It were absurd indeed to suppose, that God would suffer any of his creatures to enjoy a happiness independent of himself. And more so, that sinful inen, whom misery follows as their shadow, should be able thus to make each other happy.

But what shall we say when we consider farther, what God hath declared of such lovers of human honour: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm. [Jer. xvii. 5.] The friendship of the world is enmity with God. Whosoever will be the friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James iv. 4.) How can you believe who seek honour one of another? (John

v. 44.) If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Gal. i. 10.) Go then, and with these express declarations of God against you, dare to be happy. O wretched happiness of the world, that hath the curse of God resting upon it for ever.

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But in the ways of righteousness is true happiness arising from true honour, the honour which cometh from God.' An honour that depends not on the breath of man to give or take away. An honour the highest any mortal is capable of conceiving or enjoying. Behold, says St. John, what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God.' (1 John iii. 1.) What dignity like this, to be the heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ?' (Rom. viii. 17.) The highest pinnacle of human glory is infinitely more beneath it, than earth is distant from the remotest star. What connections can be so great and honourable as fellowship with the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ?' (1 John i. 3.] No favour here will be denied us. 'Ask, and ye shall receive.' (John xvi. 24.) For he hath never said to any of the seed of Jacob, seek ye my face in vain." (Isai. xlv. 19.) What honour çan be equal to that which the God of glory bestows on his favourite children?' "Those that honour me I will honour.' (1 Sam. ii. 30.) Or what regard so desirable as his? If a man keep my commandments, my Father and I will love him, and come unto him, and make our abode with him.' (John xiv. 23.) And their 'favour is better than the life itself.' (Psal. lxiii. 3.) A favour more enduring than the foundations of the earth; not like the precarious esteem of man, but arising from the everlasting love and faithfulness of God. A favour, which secures our

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