when he saith, that it is hard for them who put their confidence in riches, to enter into the kingdom of God, Matr. xix. By this we may understand, that he speaks not of all rich men in general, but of such only who put their trust in their riches. Therefore the apostle St. Paul does not command the rich men to cast away their estates and goods; but he advises them not to put their confidence in them, so as to become more vain and haughty. In this manner he speaks in Timothy," Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy," 1 Tim. vi.

Here are therefore the best directions, according to my judgment, for a true Christian, who desires his soul to be acceptable to God, to attain the dispositions necessary for an happy death.

1. We must employ our most constant and earnest endea vours and affections for the spiritual advantages of the soul, and of the life to come. We must thirst impatiently for the graces of God, and for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We must sigh and long for the spiritual robes of the soul, and labour with all our strength to attain to the incorruptible crown and the immortal glory of heaven. Christ gives us this holy and safe advice, "Seek," saith he, "first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you," Matt. vi. And elsewhere, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life," John vi.

2. As the good king Solomon built first the Lord's house, and then laid the foundation of his own palace; thus we ought to proceed to labour first for the advancement of God's kingdom and the edification of his church, that then we may have liberty to employ ourselves about the affairs of

this present life, and about our worldly concerns. But our employment and calling must be just, and warranted by the laws of God and man; for he that gains riches by unlawful arts, is but a thief and a robber.

3. Before we engage in any work, we must pray to God to vouchsafe his blessing to it, and speak to him as Moses, "Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hand upon us; yea, the work of our hand establish thou it," Psa. xc. For without his assistance and blessing all our labours will be in vain, and to little purpose. It is God that makes poor and makes rich, that lifts up and abaseth, James ii. "Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase," 1 Cor. iii. The royal prophet is of the same judg

ment, when he saith, "If the Lord buildeth not the city, their labour is but lost that build it."

4. Our labour must be without murmurings, and mistrusting God's providence; we must banish out of our minds all idle thoughts, and groundless expectations, that disturb us, Psa. cvii. We must pluck out of our hearts all the cares and displeasures that trouble us. We must imprint in our minds that excellent sentence of David," Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee," Psa. v. and that of St Peter, "Cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you," 1 Pet. v. We must remember our Saviour's charge, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life," Luke xxi.

5. Above all things we must beware of the slavish vice of covetousness, that denies God's good providence, and his fatherly care. To that purpose St. Paul exhorts us in express words, "Let your conversation be without covetousness, and

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be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," Heb. xiii. That he might beget in us an aversion to this infamous vice, St. Paul tells us, "They that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition," 1 Tim. vi. He adds next, "For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows," Col. iii. The same apostle declares, that covetousness is idolatry, and that it shall never inherit the kingdom of God, Eph. v. Therefore we ought to follow the wise king's advice, " Labour not to be rich, but forbear from any such design," Prov. xxv.

6. If God please to afflict us with poverty, and to cast us down into the dust of a mean estate, notwithstanding our continual labours in a lawful calling, let us endeavour to possess our souls with patience. Look upon Christ our Saviour, who for our sakes became poor, although he was rich, that we might be enriched by his poverty. Let us beseech him to grant us the blessed disposition of St. Paul, that we may be able to speak as he did, "I have learned to be content in whatsoever estate I am; "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where, and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," Phil. iv. Remember, Christian souls, to settle your treasure in heaven, 'where neither moth nor rust can corrupt, and where thieves can'not break through and steal; labour to be rich in faith, and in good works, that ye may inherit the kingdom that God hath promised to them that love him.

7. But if it hath pleased God to bless thy labours, and his powerful and liberal hand hath raised thee up to great ho mour, so that thou enjoyest riches in abundance, thou must

remem

remember to possess them in such a manner, that they may not enslave thee; and, according to St. Paul's advice, thou must remember to enjoy them, as if thou enjoyedst them not, and that the fashion of this world passeth away. We must not trust upon them, nor pride in them. We ought to glory in something else, as God himself exhorts us: Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, nor the strong of his strength; let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glories, glory in that he hath understanding, and knows me, Jer. ix.

8. We must not only take off our hearts and affections from the world and its vanities, trample upon them, and esteem them like dung, in comparison of the unspeakable treasures of heaven; but we must also be ready to leave them at every moment, as so many trifles, vain and perishable things. As we are to possess them without displeasure and fear, so we must part with them without grief or murmuring. Though we should lose in a day all that God hath bestowed upon us in this world, it becomes us to strengthen ourselves with an holy confidence and resolution, saying with Job, "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord," Job i.

9. If we happen to part with our goods, honours, and dignities in the service of God, and for the profession of Christ's gospel; in such a case we ought to endure the loss with a Christian patience, and an excessive joy, because that such a loss for a just cause will prove at last to our advantage and glory. This was the practice of the faithful Hebrews, of whom St. Paul renders this testimony, "You have taken joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing that you have in heaven a better and more lasting inheritance," Heb. x. Christian souls, represent unto yourselves the example of the prophet Moses, who "esteemed the reproach of Christ greater

greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward," Heb. xi.

10. Whilst we enjoy our goods, we must take care of the poor, and be bountiful in alms; and to speak in St Paul's language, "Whilst we have time let us do good, especially to the household of faith," Gal. vi. Whoever hath compassion on the poor makes God his debtor: he will assuredly return him his good deed, Prov. ix. Our Saviour promises to recompense a cup of cold water that shall be given to the meanest of such as believe in his name, Matt. x. Alins is a seed that is cast upon the earth: but its flowers, and most excellent fruits, are to be gathered in heaven. He that sows liberally shall reap liberally, 2 Cor. ix. It is not therefore as that other seed, mentioned Psa. cxvi. that they that sow in tears shall reap in songs of triumph; for whosoever bestows his alms sparingly and unwillingly, he shall be treated in the same manner as he that refuses to part with it. Therefore St. Paul declares, "Though I should give all my goods to nourish the poor, if I have not charity, I am nothing," 1 Cor. xiii. God loves a cheerful giver, and delights in such sacrifices, 2 Cor. ix. Remember therefore, Christian, that God shall judge you at the last day, not by learning, knowledge, riches, or dignities and honours of this life, but by your alms-deeds, and acts of charity and hospitality, and by distributing of your goods to the necessities of the saints. "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations," Matt. xxv. Rom. xii. Luke xxvi. that upon your tomb one may justly engrave, "He hath scattered, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness (that is, his charity and alms-deeds) remains for ever," Psa. cxi.

11. Finally, we must not only take off our hearts and affections from the riches, honours, and vanities of this world,

but