there is no repose day nor night, but misery, without hope or intermission, for ever.

What then is there which can compensate for the loss of the soul? Our Lord asks, whether "the whole world" can do it. By the term "world," we are to understand generally those things that are "in the world," as St. John

expresses it; such things as belong to the world—the riches, and power, and

pleasures, and honours of the world: all those objects which are of great ambition amongst such persons as have no right sense of the value of spiritual things. O what can compare with the value of the soul!

But consider these things in their origin. They are all earthly; they are derived from the earth, and have nothing in them which can really satisfy the mind. They promise much gratification; they are acceptable to men of a worldly spirit; and they are frequently not unaccompanied by a sort of enjoyment to those who possess them. But there is delusion and deception in them all. So treacherous are the promises, even of pleasure itself (the pleasure of the world), that, if we should look through civilized society, it may be fairly doubted whether any persons are, on the whole, less at ease, than those who seem most largely to possess it. And what is true of pleasure, as far as it respects its unsatisfying influence on the mind, applies, in a considerable degree, to honour, and power, and riches, and all the promises and professions of this probationary state. The soul was not made to take its repose in things like these; it has cravings and desires (and we all know the fact) which they cannot satisfy; and if there be no outward circumstances to disturb its comfort, it is made to find a source of discontent and uneasiness within itself. And then there are the various troubles which these things almost necessarily bring with them. There are little jealousies and hostilities with others with which such men are continually oppressed; there are cares and perplexities, even in the greatest stations, which no prudence can avert; and there are demands which no foresight can satisfy. And instances are not wanting, where, from pure disgust, men of high station and commanding influence, have cast off the world and all its concerns, and have sought in absolutè retirement and seclusion, that peace which they hitherto never could find.

And if, from the nature of these things, however useful and desirable some of them may be in their proper places, they can afford so little real satisfaction, even to those who are in possession of them, or in full capacity for the enjoyment of them-of how little service must they prove in sorrow, and pain, and affliction? It is then the vanity and emptiness of them begin to be justly appreciated. They promise that they have everything that heart can wish ; but in the hour of trial, when the soul is glad to find a refuge, they can do nothing. Instead of imparting comfort to the mind, how often does the recollection of talents abused, and gifts of Providence neglected or misapplied, serve rather to exasperate sorrow, and to depress still more deeply the sinking spirit! The season is fast approaching when the great men of the world, as well as those inferior in station, will stand in need of far other comforts than the world can give them; and when, if the faltering tongue can still speak the language of the heart, it will bear witness of the unsatisfying nature of all earthly things. But there is another circumstance to be noticed relating to the things of the world. They are at best of very limited duration. Unsatisfactory as they are,

yet, if they could continue for ever, men might indulge the hope of finding in them at least mingled gratification, and venture to set upon them considerable value. But in how short a time must they all disappear! "Son," said Abraham to the rich man, "remember, that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things." How natural must be the reflection to this man, "My life-timemy good things! In my life-time I denied myself nothing which my heart desired; but O how short was that life-how fleeting those pleasures-how momentary those enjoyments! All that my wealth could procure me was, after a short period of sensual gratification, exchanged for the pain, and the sorrow, and the degradation of the grave: in my life-time every good thing, but now tormented for eternity."

But we need scarcely to go into the world of spirits to shew us the emptiness of earthly things, as it respects their brief duration. Is there among us an individual who has reached the prime of life, and still more one whose days are declining, that does not feel for himself the practical force of that argument? No occupation of the mind can altogether banish that from the thoughts; no determination can render us entirely insensible to the uncertainty of life and all its enjoyments. What is the longest period allotted to man upon earth, when contrasted with eternity? What are the best hopes of this world, when compared with the hopes of the world to come?

Here, then, let us put the question suggested by our Lord, "What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" It is proposed, you observe, in the broadest terms-" the whole world." Ahab and Jezebel would commit murder for the possession of a vineyard. Haman would put to death an innocent man, because he loved not to see him sitting at the king's gate. When the mind is set upon the world, it is wonderful how men will exert themselves for a very small portion of it. But the case is put, "If a man gains the whole world—all its kingdoms, and the glory of them, as once offered by the tempter to our Lord; so that the lover of pleasure should command every possible enjoyment, the lover of power should possess unbounded authority, every eye watching his inclinations, every knee bending in homage: if with all this, still the man would be profited nothing if he should lose his soul; would he not deem these things to be dearly purchased if obtained at the sacrifice of life? Would he not surrender them all for the preservation of his life? “Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Is there anything which a rational man can regard as equivalent to it; anything which, in the estimation even of the most ignorant, when the matter is fully brought before him, can be compared to eternal salvation? Is there anything which God will accept as the ransom for the soul, when it is once sentenced to destruction? The question implies but one answer: There can be no ransom; nothing given in exchange; if once lost it never can be restored.

Before I pass on to the application of the subject, I would observe, that the general statement here made concerning the worthlessness of all things, as contrasted with the value of the soul, has been acted on by the best men in all ages of the world. They did not, while assenting to these things with their reason, disavow them by their conduct. They reduced their convictions to practice; they were ready to renounce everything which the world could offer, in order that they might approve themselves to God. Such a man was "the

father of the faithful," who left his kindred and home to domesticate in a foreign land: he was a man of self-denial. Such a man was "the lawgiver of Israel," who chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of с greater riches than Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompence of reward." With regard to the great Apostle of the Gentiles, those things that were otherwise gain to him he counted loss for Christ; "Yea, doubtless," he adds, "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." He spake thus, not as a mere speculator or theorist; it was after he had suffered the loss of all things; the one object of his solicitude being this, that he might attain to the resurrection of the dead. We read of some who willingly endured every trial that they might attain a better resurrection. And it is the general character of all real Christians, as well as of Christ's immediate followers, that they are not of the world; they are of a different character; they belong to a different society; they are looking for a different home.

I proceed now, in the second place, to offer some REMARKS BY WAY OF

APPLICATION OF THE SUBJECT.

Let me, then, put the question, my brethren, What has hitherto been the main object of your solicitude, the world or the soul? Have you attended to the interests of this life, or to those of the life to come? The passage seems plainly to intimate, that, if the soul be lost, it is lost by ourselves; and the neglect of the soul, from whatever cause it may arise, cannot fail to be followed by irremediable destruction. The love of the world-that is of worldly principles, may frequently exist in the mind when we scarcely suspect such a thing: whatever be the weak point of our character, the world can present temptations exactly adapted to it. Perhaps we have not promised to ourselves the objects of immediate ambition, the acquisition either of wealth or power we are desirous to pass through life, without either exciting much notice, or reaching any great eminence. So far it is well; and yet how often may a worldly spirit be concealed in this way, even from ourselves. What, let me ask, is the nature of the subject upon which our minds are most habitually employed? Perhaps you will say, with great truth, that the world has not such a possession of your hearts, as to exclude many thoughts concerning the future state; that you read the Scriptures, and observe the appointed seasons of worship, not without many aspirations for the mercy and grace of God through Jesus Christ. But then, how shall we stand the test mentioned by our Lord in connexion with this passage? Are we so free from worldly principles that we are prepared to take up our cross and to follow Christ; to bear reproach, if necessary for his Name's sake; and to acquiesce in appointments which are painful to flesh and blood, that we may be numbered with his people? If we have a just scriptural view of the world on the one hand, and of the value of the soul on the other, shall we not be seriously in earnest for salvation? Is it possible we can rightly be impressed with the force of our Lord's statement, or be pursuing that conduct which the Scriptures enjoin, if we are halting between two opinions, if we give ourselves partly to the world which we affect to hold in so little estimation, and partly to the soul, the value of which we acknowledge to be above all price? We admit that there would be no profit, even if we should gain the

whole world, and lose our own soul. We admit that the gain would be as nothing, the loss irreparable. How should we act upon such admission, if we knew that we should not survive this present day! How shall we wish upon a death-bed that we had acted so; how at the day of judgment! If the worth of the soul is such as is represented, what diligence can be too great to make our calling and election sure? For how can any man be acting according to the dictates of reason who does not regard the care of the soul, in the highest sense, as the one thing needful?

The prosecution of this inquiry into our own character, and the practical estimate which we form of God and of the soul, may probably lead some of us to the painful conviction that we have hitherto neglected salvation; while others have good reason to believe, that their great concern has been attended to. The application of our subject would lead me to address. a few words to each of these classes, first, in the way of explanation; secondly, in the way of encouragement.

In speaking to the first of these classes, permit me to inquire, on what pretence it is that any can justify this neglect. Why do you prefer the world, and the things of the world, to everlasting life? In some instances this may arise from a want of reflection; your attention has not been sufficiently directed to it. But what a sad apology is this to make even to ourselves. Is there anything more important to which our thoughts can be directed? Is there anything in which we admit ourselves to be more deeply concerned? Are we not aware that if death surprises us in the midst of our sins, it would have been better for us that we had never been born? Are we not aware, that if there be an object worthy to be entertained by an immortal being, it is that which respects the welfare of immortality?

But the want of reflection is, in some cases, not without the appearance of excuse. Can that excuse, my brethren, apply to us? Where men have no knowledge of a future state, and are destitute of the Word of God, they might argue, that though this world was little to be regarded, they, at the same time, knew of nothing that was better. Such an excuse it will be in vain for us to plead. We have knowledge where they had none, or wandered in doubt and conjecture. God himself has addressed us in his Word: he has tested the value of the soul, even by the gift of his own Son: and is it possible that we should not think seriously of this subject? What is there that will arrest the attention, if we regard not the interests of a future world?

In some instances there appears to be an assent to the statements which have been made in explanation of the text; and a clear persuasion that it is the part of every wise man to make a right distinction between things temporal and things spiritual, and to think with all his heart for salvation; but then the present time is not the best time for commencing. One man is too poor and has no leisure; another is occupied with his wealth; another with his family: but each of them is willing to hope that a more favourable season will arrive, when he shall be able to give attention to the subject in such degree, according to its acknowledged importance. So ingenious is the heart in the work of self-deception; so ready are we to acquiesce in reasons for the neglect of the soul. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might:" "Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF THE SOUL.

Is there in this congregation any individual, who, having been made truly sensible of the contrast between heavenly and earthly things, is inquiring, "How shall I escape this loss of the soul?" It is the office of the Christian ministry, to point him at once and immediately to that Redeemer, who came to seek and to save the lost; and to declare to him that here is mercy, and mercy now for the chief of sinners; that every one who comes to Jesus Christ, repenting of his sins, and believing in his name, shall be accepted of him. Are you prepared to deny yourselves; to take up your cross, and to follow him; to renounce the pomps and vanities of the world; and, at whatever cost of wealth, or ease, or reputation, to secure this blessing? These are the dispositions that he requires in his people; and of those that thus follow him, he will banish none from his presence. Wherefore, then, should any man suffer himself to be enslaved by the hopes, or apprehensions, or enjoyments of this world? Why should he prepare for himself occasion for bitter repentance, when it is not repentance unto life? If Christ had not died for the ungodly, then would it be vain to disturb ourselves about a doom that could not be averted. But averted it may be; and it will be doubtless among the most harassing reflections of the lost spirit in the place of torment, that he preferred darkness to light, and the world to heaven. "I had much pleasure," such may be his painful reflections; "I had many enjoyments: nothing was withheld from my pursuit which I wished to obtain: but what do they avail me now? I was warned of the folly of rejecting Christ and his salvation for things that perished in the using; but I neglected or despised the warning. I was told of the misery and sin of making the world my portion, but I made it mine; and of the happiness of those that seek a better world, I heard repeatedly; but that portion I sought not. O what would I give if the door of mercy was once again opened, even though but for a day, or a moment! If earth with all its attractions could again arise before me, and the voice of forgiveness could invite me to Jesus Christ, how despicable in my sight would the whole world appear! My soul might have been saved, but I preferred the world; the gift of God was held forth, but I preferred the wages of sin, the misery of that state which never can terminate, and that wrath which cannot be exhausted."

But let me, in the last place, address a few words to those who have reason to hope, according to the expression of our Lord, that they are not of the world; but who having seen the value of the soul, have applied to Christ for salvation. To such we may say, How trifling is the loss, if you should, in the largest sense, lose the whole world, and yet save the soul! You part only with that which can neither be retained, nor bring any lasting advantage; you secure that which But do 18 independent of the world, and which cannot be taken from you. vou indeed leave the desire of things, even in this life? Hath not godliness in an important sense, given you a promise which respects the present world, as well as the world to come? What if you have but little on the earth, is not that little blessed? Is it not sanctified by Him who gave it? And cannot the poorest man in the world, if he possess the spirit of the Christian, have a satisfaction even in the works of God, which the amplest possessions never can bestow? Is it not the saying of our blessed Lord, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth?" We might ask the most destitute of the followers of Jesus Christ, if he possess the spirit of Christ, Do you not cheerfully acquiesce