In such cases, scarcely is it possible that a due attention can be given to the concerns of the soul. The duties of religion, though they should not be utterly neglected, will be observed only with the lifeless formality of bodily service. The necessary consequence of all this must be, a decline in the life of grace. And thus it may continue with them, till God either blast their plans, or cast them into the fiery furnace of affliction. So true is the testimony of our Lord, that "the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and men become unfruitful."* And so applicable are the words of an apostle; "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. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." Let every child of God, therefore, remember the admonition given in the words which immediately follow: "But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called."+

3. Approximations to fraudulence for the sake of gain, are another hinderance to growth in grace.—— It is natural for every man who enters into business, to desire success. All who engage in it, are animated with the hope of this; and look forward to a

time when their augmented income will reward their activity, and enlarge the sphere of their usefulness and enjoyment. A large measure of success, however, is not easily obtained. In the present state of society in our land, such is the competition among the great numbers embarked in almost every branch of business, that few comparatively can soon accumulate wealth. The consequence is, that they who find this impracticable by fair means, are too frequently tempted to have recourse to those which are disingenuous and somewhat fraudulent. Others, they learn, by a little worldly artifice, outstrip them in their profits, and rise in society, while they are scarcely able to stand their ground. Some of them are tempted, therefore, to try the plans of these worldly men, notwithstanding they know that they are not consistent with strict integrity, and unbending justice. As this practice may often be pursued without detection; so, after a time, it may be accompanied with little self-reproach.

While there is reason to believe that this practice is incautiously gone into by some who are genuine Christians, there can be no doubt that it is always detrimental to their soul. Their worldly gain is made at the expense of their spiritual loss. How common soever it may be among those around, and how necessary soever it may be deemed to ensure success; never can they who follow this practice, totally banish from their minds the conviction, that it is improper in itself, and a violation of the perfect rule of equity. Acting, however, as they do, con

trary to this conviction, they hurt their conscience and offend their God. So far from growing in grace, they gradually decline. Ill-gotten gain, like a gnawing worm at the root, will soon wither the blossoms of the stateliest tree of righteousness.-Let those, therefore, who are tempted to hasten in this way to be rich, carefully guard against the most distant approach to this practice. As they value a pure conscience, and peace with God, let them scorn the gilded bait. And let them who already have been caught by it, speedily endeavour to be disentangled. Let them put away the unholy thing, and turn to the Lord with deep and unfeigned repentance.

4. Another hinderance to growth in grace is, devoting too much time to worldly amusements.Christianity by no means forbids her votaries every kind of amusement and recreation. To affirm that she does, would be falsely and injuriously to exhibit her as the mother of gloom and melancholy; and consequently to act towards her the part of an enemy. She admits of every innocent gratification, which can contribute either to the health of the body, or the invigoration and improvement of the mind. No pleasure does she prohibit, except what is sinful, or calculated by its concomitants or consequences to prove hurtful to the soul. She interdicts only what every wise and good man should wish to

shun.

But though the religion of Christ allows all innocent recreations and pleasures; yet they must be innocently used. They are not to be pursued as the

sole, or even the principal, employment of any Christian, whatever may be his rank or his opulence. They are to be followed only as the minor auxiliaries of bodily health, and mental cheerfulness, the means of unbending the mind, exhilarating the spirits, and of fitting us for the more lively and vigorous discharge of our duty.

Instead of this, however, some misled Christians devote too much of their time to a giddy round of amusements. This is the case chiefly among the middle and higher ranks of society. So incessantly are they hurried in planning or executing schemes of what they reckon innocent pleasure, that often they can scarcely find leisure, on week days, to attend even to the forms of domestic and secret religion. Employing almost the whole of their time in reading works of fiction,-studying and practising the mysteries of the toilet,-paying or receiving ceremonious visits, and attending parties of pleasure till the most unseasonable hours; they feel little heart for the devotional duties either of the family or the closet. With such persons the Lord's day is almost the only time appropriated to the service of God, and the business of salvation; and the dissipation of the mind from the scenes of the past week, or the anticipation of new enjoyments, unfits it for spiritual and profitable worship on that hallowed rest.

The prosecution of this course, even for a short period, will mar any Christian's growth in grace. The words of the wise man are true, both in a worldly and spiritual acceptation," He that loveth

pleasure shall be a poor man,' * -poor in purse, and poor n grace. And yet it is but too certain, that some of the Lord's children are drawn into this course. By the influence of worldly connexions or acquaintances they are allured to follow it for a season, till they appear more like "lovers of pleasure, than lovers of God." Every competent judge who knows it, must account it a sure symptom that their soul is not in a healthy condition. And, sooner or later, the Lord will chastise them for their folly, and turn them from it to the proper employment of their time and talents.

5. Immoderate attachment to any earthly object is another preventive of growth in grace.-Genuine piety sanctifies and improves our attachment to our relatives and friends. So far from destroying our love to them, it tends to invigorate, sweeten, and regulate all its operations. It leaves us not to the guidance of animal instinct, changeable caprice, or contracted self-interest. It teaches us to act on principle, and to testify affection for them, and concern for their happiness, from respect for the authority of God. At the same time, it requires us carefully to guard against all excessive attachment to any person or object whatever. They to whom we are united by the closest ties of affinity or consanguinity, and the most valuable possessions and enjoyments which we fondly call our own, must occupy a place in our heart and affections, far inferior to that which is given to our God and Saviour. So inferior must it

* Prov. xxi. 17.