heaven are set firmly in the mind, as the object of our daily prayer, of our hourly exertion, of our unfailing hope! Light becomes the burden of the most irksome duty, to them, who have "respect unto the recompense of the reward.” (Heb. 11. 26.) Easy the yoke of the most diligent service, to them, who are set free "from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God!" (Rom. 8. 21.)

Thus does the true religion of the Gospel abound with all comfort to the weary soul. Not the comfort of them that " say, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.' (Jer. 8. 11.) Not the ease of them who would continue in sin, that grace may abound." (Rom. 6. 1.) But the peace which ensues upon a conflict; the aid which ensures success; and the glory which rewards it. Hearken then no longer unto such as

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say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you." (Jer. 23. 17.) Doubt not that the way is narrow, that the religion of Christ is in some sort a yoke, and his commands a burden. But know also

that love, the love of God, in the redemption of the world, has made that burden light, that yoke easy. "Great are the troubles of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of all." (Ps. 34. 19.) Many his trials; but with each temptation God maketh for him also a way to escape. (See 1 Cor. 10. 13.) The angel of the new covenant stands waiting for him at the gate of life; not to hinder and reject, but to guide and invite him therein. He shares with the rest of mankind all ordinary ills of nature. He has, besides, a toil they know not, the wrestlings, the watchings, the anxious provision for the spiritual life of his soul. Yet behold it is so ordered by the divine will, that "unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness:" (Ps. 112. 4.) and "all things," even the worst they meet with, "work together for good to them that love God." (Rom. 8. 28.)

Herein then lies the true answer to every difficulty, even in the love of God. Love the Lord; and ye will then hate evil; so shall ye rejoice in doing good. If a man love Jesus Christ, he will keep his

words: (see John 14. 33.) that is, he will rather keep them than not, he will have pleasure in keeping them. If a man love God, he will by no means grieve that holy Spirit which moveth him continually to obey God's will. Love it is that makes the yoke easy, for love makes us free to choose it. Love it is that makes the burden light, for love makes us like to bear it. "Perfect love casteth out fear." (1 John 4. 18.) Seek then to love God, that ye may fear no evil. Seek to love God through Christ; and, in all your striving at the narrow gate," ye shall find rest unto your souls."

SERMON XII.

SINNER SUMMONED.

LUKE 12. 20, 21.

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

THERE was a time in the Christian church when "all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." (Acts 2. 44, 45.) This state of things lasted only for a short season. The Christian community, as it increased in extent and worldly prosperity, lost somewhat of that lively faith which animated the early converts. And there returned by degrees, into the hearts of its members, a spirit

somewhat more akin to the request in this passage of the Gospel, "Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me." (ver. 13.) The application was as inconsistent with our Saviour's office, as with the spirit of the gospel which He taught. "And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?" (ver.14.) The judgment of this world, the decision of temporal matters, was an office our Lord constantly refused. His judgment is to be hereafter; when He shall divide the righteous from the wicked, even as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats. (See Matth. 25. 32.)

But the demand of this worldly minded brother afforded occasion for inculcating on the bystanders, and through them on the whole world, the folly and sinfulness of a covetous disposition, and the vanity also of that earthly treasure, whose search is too apt to engross the thoughts of all. Our Saviour therefore, willing to warn both rich and poor against setting their hearts on this world's goods, saith unto them: "Take heed, and beware of covet