PROVISION FOR ETERNITY.

A SERMON

ON ST. MATTHEW, 6. 19, 20.

Preached before the

DUDLEY CHURCH OF ENGLAND CLUBS,

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1835.

And before the

SEDGLEY CHURCH FRIENDLY SOCIETY,

MONDAY, JULY 6, 1835.

BY THE

REV. CHARLES GIRDLESTONE, A. M..

VICAR OF SEDGLEY, STAFFORDSHIRE.

Price Two pence.

Sold by Thomas Danks, Dudley; Thomas Simpson, and William Parke, Wolverhampton; William Beamen, Sedgley; and Messrs. J. F. & G. Rivington; London.

MATTHEW 6. 19, 20.

"LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES UPON EARTH, WHERE MOTH AND RUST DOTH CORRUPT, AND WHERE THIEVES BREAK THROUGH AND STEAL. BUT LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES

TREASURES

IN

HEAVEN, WHERE NEITHER MOTH NOR RUST DOTH CORRUPT, AND WHERE THIEVES DO NOT BREAK THROUGH NOR STEAL,"

THE force of this commandment is to a certain degree comparative. That is to say, our Lord did not so much mean in these words, to forbid our laying up treasure upon earth, as to point out how much better a thing it is to lay up treasure in heaven. We learn from other parts of Scripture that it is well to be diligent and provident. (See Prov. 6. 6, 7, 8. 1 Tim. 5 8.) It is

well to work, and to lay by, to day; for this reason amongst others, that we may not be distracted with anxious thought about to morrow.

B..

But it is of infinitely more importance to work. and lay by for eternity. However much our happiness may depend on provision against sickness and old age, we are infinitely more concern, ed to be secured against perishing for ever. And therefore since you all acknowledge the wisdom of laying up some little beforehand upon earth, I shall endeavour now to enforce the importance of laying up in store for yourselves, as St. Paul expresses it, a good foundation against the time to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life. (See 1 Tim. 6. 19.)

Now my brethren I grieve to say, that this is one of many instances, in which the children of this world are wiser, as our Lord complains, in their generation, than the children of light in theirs. (See Luke 16. 8.) In your Friendly Society for instance, you pay in whilst young, and strong, and healthy, against the time of sickness and old age. In your Friendly Society you thankfully accept the help of others, who have more to spare than yourselves; and you also cheerfully contribute to each others relief. In your Friendly Society you keep books of all receipts and payments; and you look to it that they are from time to time duly cast up and balanced. In your Friendly Society you entrust your property to the hands of those who can.