and then we may hope, through the merits of our great Redeemer, that we ourselves shall shine forth as stars in the spiritual firmament, when the new heavens and the new earth shall be revealed.

SERMON XXIII.

THE LOSS OF THE SOUL.

MATT. xvi. 26.

What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

It is undoubtedly the duty of every one to pursue that line of conduct which will most effectually promote his happiness; his happiness, that is, in reference to the whole of his being, including not only that portion of it which he passes here upon earth, but that infinitely longer period which will be spent in the world to come. Our Saviour, in the text acknowledges the truth of this principle, and reasons upon it accordingly, by directing us to estimate what will be respectively the profit and loss of a man, in the general reckoning, who enjoys in its utmost extent the happiness of this life, but misses that of the life to come. This

is a very clear and intelligible method of comparing the value of the two things together, and we will now endeavour to institute the comparison on the mode of calculation laid down in the words of the text.

We are for this end, first, to examine the sum total of advantages acquired and enjoyed by the man who has gained the whole world, or become possessed of every thing desirable which it is generally supposed to contain. Let us imagine then one of our fellow creatures thus richly invested with all these earthly goods, and see of what particulars they consist.

First, then, we must allow this fortunate being to have attained, what the generality of mankind seem to consider as the sovereign good of life, namely, abundance of riches. Let us suppose him to have in profusion, houses and lands, flocks and herds, men-servants and maid-servants; to be surrounded with every convenience, and comfort, and luxury, which imagination can devise, or art supply, and gifted too with a disposition of mind inclined to make the most of these temporal advantages, and to enjoy them to their full extent. Among those advantages is also to be included the extensive influence of wealth-the power it has in many cases to direct the movements even of the most upright and independent men, and the absolute control which it always

gives over the actions of the unprincipled, the sordid, and the selfish.

Let us farther grant to the fancied character we are describing the possession of a blessing, far more valuable than riches, though frequently squandered away with vastly more carelessness, that is, a strong bodily constitution, and the uninterrupted enjoyment of vigorous health. Where this is wanting, the goods of fortune are deprived of all their relish; and therefore we add it to the stock of benefits accumulated on our favoured individual, in order to swell the amount of them.

But he will not, as the nature of our estimate requires that he should, have gained the whole world, unless his worldly schemes shall have turned out agreeably to his wishes, for no one will think himself as fortunate as he might have been, while his favourite plans are thwarted, and his designs rendered abortive. The happy individual therefore, whom we are representing, shall be exempt from all grievances and vexations of this sort. Let it be granted that all his pursuits are attended with the desired termination, with the attainment of the particular object proposed by each of them respectively, and that, whether the end he has in view be pleasure or ambition, it is attended with complete success. Now the person, who meets with success in his worldly pro

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jects, is almost sure of gaining at the same time applause, esteem, and honour from all worldly men, for, as the Psalmist truly observes, as long as thou doest good unto thyself, men will speak well of thee. This then shall be another distinction of our fictitious, happy man, that he shall always hear himself talked of with approbation, that his presence shall constantly give rise to every demonstration of profound respect, and that his example shall be cited and recommended to all who would wish to rise to the distinctions of life.

And, by way of adding to his private and personal gratification, let us farther suppose him to be gifted with a very superior share of intellectual powers, which he has improved to the utmost by diligent culture, and by the possession of which he must necessarily command a rich and constant fund of amusement the most various, tranquil, and delightful. He shall be as fortunate too, we will allow, in his family and friends, as in his own individual circumstances; they shall all be doing as well as himself in the world; they shall be uniformly obliging and agreeable in all their intercourse with him, and shall come into no misfortunes to give him anxiety and pain.

To crown the whole, we will suppose him perfectly contented with his unusual lot-passing his days amidst all the soothing feelings of self