to attempt this we should find it impossible, our minds would grow weary. And, besides, who can deny that we have each, in our various situations, duties which God expects us to attend to, and which He cannot be pleased if we neglect. Therefore they teach a doctrine which is neither reasonable nor Christian, who tell us that in going through this world we are to take our thoughts from every thing that is in it; it is unreasonable, because the thing is impossible, and it is unchristian because it is unreasonable, and is no where taught us in the gospel: the farmer must attend to his crops and the management of his land; the tradesman must mind his business; the labouring man must work for his family's support. Neither is it necessary for us to give up altogether the amusements and pleasures of the world. To follow them moderately, not as if they were the business of our lives, and to be careful that they be harmless, that is our duty; for if God calls us to the kingdom of heaven, it is God also who has placed us upon earth, where He wishes us to be as happy as we

can, so as we remember our obedience to Him and we shall always find that we are so in proportion as we do obey Him.

But though, as I said, it cannot be expected for any man under all circumstances and at all times to have serious things in his thoughts, yet it is the bounden duty of us all to give God by far the first place in our hearts. With His grace we shall thus be kept from loving any thing else too much; and wherever we go, it will become natural to us to do His will, even though we may not always have Him in our thoughts. We must never suffer any business that we are engaged in in this world, to make us neglect our Creator, and that better world which He invites us to; indeed, if we truly feel the greatness of God's goodness and our unworthiness, we shall never be guilty of this, and no situation of life can be an excuse for us if we be. There is time enough for all things. The good servant of God will not lose sight of his Master in heaven: and be his business ever so prosperous, his worldly employments ever so great, he will go through them all

as a being who remembers that the glorious rewards of the life to come are far better worth striving for, than all that is accounted valuable upon earth.

Would God that such were the manner of life both of all of us, and of all our fellow men! But there always have been, are now, and, it is to be feared, always will be, many, who, as the apostle calls them in the text, are "lovers of pleasures, more than lovers of God," persons whose whole lives. are spent in perfect forgetfulness of what they were sent into the world for.

Are we not obliged to see with sorrow, those who appear to have made up their minds that nothing shall ever lead them to change the evil course of life which they have begun? In bondage to Satan, the slaves of sin, they seem to be stedfastly determined that none of the means which God has given for bringing men to repentance, shall have any effect on them: that neither the voice of their own conscience, nor the word of God offering mercy, or threatening vengeance, nor the advice of His ministers, shall ever prevail upon them

to be better men. This world is the only god whom they choose to worship; the sins and vices which disgrace it are the only masters which they have any delight in serving. They know that the end of these things is death; that they will be followed, as sure as there is a God in heaven, by hell and everlasting sorrow: but what is that to them? they drown, they drive away such thoughts, and rush headlong upon the way of destruction, which suits the corruption of their hearts, caring no more for the loss of their souls in the life to come, than they do for the loss of their characters in this." These are lovers of pleasures, more than lovers of God."

And how many are there just one degree nearer heaven than these, and no more, (it is worth while to consider whether we ourselves are of their number), who though not guilty of the crimes and vices by which the others are disgraced, are yet completely given up to the giddy follies and vanities of the world; and, however charitably we are bound to judge and speak of others, do really seem to have their affections so set

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upon the things of this life, as to be unwilling to carry their thoughts to anything beyond it.

Go to their houses: ask them of their bodily health, relieve their bodily wants, they seem thankful and glad to see you; but inquire, as the ministers of Christ are bound to do, of the health of their souls; tell them of the vileness of sin, and how impossible it is to be happy after death if we do not lead a godly life; talk to them of repentance, ask if they fear God, and think of their Saviour's sufferings, and they will take but little heed of what you say, not caring to answer the questions which you put to them, and not seeming over well pleased at the liberty which you are taking with them. These, too, are lovers of pleasures, more than lovers of God; like children, desiring nothing more than the toys and playthings of the world; contented to lose the glories of eternity so as they may for a season, for a short season, enjoy the empty pleasures of time; living for the body, whilst the soul is quite neglected.

This, my brethren, whatever it may