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of our whole lives. In a religious point of view, the observation of Solomon is not only important, but it is also imperative," If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself." And if every Christian would act upon this admonition, the happiness of the world would be increased beyond all calculation. Our good conduct, considered as a matter of example, may fail to benefit others; but considered in relation to our own interests, it will and must be always beneficial to us. It will prove that we are faithful to him who hath called us ;" and will, therefore, engage and preserve to us, his love. It will give us peace of conscience, and enliven the blessed hope of attaining to the happiness of heaven. But, as we may learn from all God's dispensations, that He is wise and just, we must feel, that if we are disobedient, he will not acknowledge us to be his. The history of the Jews is, in this respect our warning ;-and though we nominally belong to the sacred fold of Christ, yet, if we refuse to follow him, we shall be rejected in that awful day, when He shall separate the sheep from the goats. To revert again to the appropriate comparison of the Shepherd and his fold, we must remember, that the distinguishing qualities of sheep, are their innocence and their helplessness; and that their safety depends upon their docility. If they wander from their place and keeper, they are in danger of the wolf, and of various other objects that may do them harm. They are liable to fall into pits, and are especially subject to

contagion. Like them, we should continue tractable and pure, that we may escape the contamination of the evil world,-that we may not be taken in the pit-falls of temptation, or become a prey to sin and infidelity. While we abide with Christ our Shepherd, we shall not want any thing that, in the covenant of grace, is good for us. "He will make us to lie down in green pastures, and will lead us beside the still and living waters. He will restore our souls: he will lead us in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we shall fear no evil : for he is with us: his rod and his staff shall comfort

us."

SERMON IV.

ON THE ONE THING NEEDFUL.

LUKE X. 42.

But one thing is needful.

To estimate things according to their true importance, is the first and last point of human wisdom; and from the variety of objects that are offered to our choice, to select those which are the most likely to promote our happiness, is an endeavour suitable to our character as rational beings, and worth our best care and attention. For the difficulty lies in knowing how to choose, so that we may not, through ignorance or rashness, mistake the evil for the good. We require the aid not only of a sound understanding and of experience, but also of that instruction and guidance which the word of God is alone able to supply.

The "one thing needful" alluded to by our Saviour in the words of the text, is, our improvement in spiritual knowledge; for in comparison with

this knowledge, all the other cares and pursuits of men are insignificant. We may devote ourselves to the PLEASURES of the world, and expect that “tomorrow," in its capacities of yielding us enjoyment, "shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” When the morrow comes, (if, indeed, it does come to us,) we shall be uneasy, either from the cravings of a depraved appetite, or from a disrelish of our former indulgencies: and as our years pass on, we shall find our health and strength fail us prematurely, -we shall be convinced, that though "the way" of pleasure may seem right to a man," yet, that "the end thereof are the ways of death." We may cling to the RICHES of the world, and study, with unwearied industry, all the means of increasing our possessions. If our endeavours are successful, we shall be so engrossed with the love and pursuit of wealth, that the generous virtues,-particularly those which should adorn a Christian,-will have become almost, if not wholly, extinct in us:--covetousness will, from the force of habit, be the chief propensity that we shall think of gratifying ;--and, when sickness, or any other calamity overtakes us, we shall neither be able to enjoy our wealth, nor shall we endure the thought of leaving it. We may give way to an ambitious spirit, and pursue the HONOURS of the world. At every step that we advance, we shall be impatient with ourselves for not having advanced higher. We shall envy, and perhaps hate, those who have outstripped us; and shall find that the

thirst of ambition, like that of a violent fever, is insatiable and when death or old age approaches, we shall neither be satisfied with this world, nor shall we be fit for the next. We may sacrifice the best days of youth and manhood in labouring to acquire the KNOWLEDGE of the world,-and for this purpose, may treasure up all the information that is to be gained from mingling with mankind, or from the toilsome study of books. Yet what will be the value of this, unless it tends to improve our minds, or to adorn our characters, in a religious point of view? It will be worthless; serving only to entertain us as a matter of mere curiosity,―or reproaching us with the misapplication of that precious time, which should have been occupied in preparing us for a better state of existence, in heaven.

Of the spiritual knowledge comprehended within the description of the "one thing needful," the first point is, to acquire right and worthy notions of the God whom we serve; and, with this view, to search the scriptures for a representation, as far as revealed language does represent, of his adorable attributes, and to meditate on the visible creation, as setting forth to the eye both of reason and religion, “his eternal power and godhead."

Veiled in the immensity of his spiritual being, the Almighty Creator has not, at any time, discovered himself to human sight;-nor is it possible that our finite minds should form an idea at all adequate of Him whose glories and perfections are infinite.