GOD, and his eternal felicity neglected, for the dreams and shadows of earthly pursuits and enjoyments?

A life of religion affords the most solid happiness. There is nothing so much enobles and regulates the faculties of the soul, and crowns it with peace and tranquillity, as the faith and fear of GOD, and a supreme affection to him; a relation to the Lord Jesus as a Saviour, &c. The delights of sincere religion, do as far surpass the pleasures of the covetous, the sensual and voluptuous, as the pleasures of a man do those of the brutes. If the blessed GOD is the most happy Being, then they that bear the nearest resemblance to him, must necessarily be the most happy creatures. They not only enjoy the divine pleasures of a religious life, but have by far the truest comfort of those blessings they possess in common with other men. Religion restrains us from no pleasures which are consistent with reason, and our truest interest; nothing can afford so much support under the unavoidable afflictions of the present state and I may venture to affirm, that even the penitential sorrows of a good man, have more true satisfaction in them, than the greatest de

lights that the vicious and profane ever enjoyed.

Lastly, True religion is of the greatest necessity. All other concerns compared with this, are but as the toys of children to the labours of life. This is "the one thing needful," without which, the end of man's creation is lost, the glory of God in his works is frustrated, and the whole existence of reasonable beings is vain. It were infinitely better never to have had a being, than leave this world with the guilt of sin unpardoned, and the power of it unsubdued. And it is also And it is also necessary for securing a blessing upon all our temporal concerns. Godliness hath the promise of this life, as well as that which is to come. 1 Tim. iv. 8. If we truly serve God, he will certainly bless us. Men may increase their riches by other methods, but the prosperity of such fools only tends to destroy them." Prov. i. And GoD can easily blast the most vigorous endeavours for this life, if we neglect the love and duty we owe to him. The Tradesman would do well to consider whether many of his losses and decays may not be the chastisement of his neglect of these important concerns.

"This commandment which I command thee this day, is not hidden from thee. But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thý mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, death, and evil. In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his judgments, that thou mayest live; and that the Lord thy GOD may bless thee. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear; I denounce unto you this day that ye shall surely perish. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life that thou and thy seed may live, &c. Deut. xxx. 11, 20.

"The Lord GOD of Israel saith, them that honour me, I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed, 1 Sam. ii. 30.

"Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you.

"Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David great mercy, according as he waiked before thee in truth and in righteous

ness, and in uprightness of heart with thee, 1 Kings iii. 6.

"Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches. Depart from me ye evil doers, for I will keep the commandments of my GOD. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not thy statutes. Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments, &c. Psal. cxix. 2, 4, 14, 115, 155, 166.

"In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof is no death, Prov. xii. 28.

"Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed. But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded, Prov. xiii. 13.

"Now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. His fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire, Matt. iii. 10, 12.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven, Matt. vii. 21.

"Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of GOD; Jesus said unto them, this is the work of GOD, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent, John vi. 28, 29. 1 John iii. 23.

"Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward man, Acts xxiv. 16.

"What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to GOD, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Rom. vi. 21, 23.

"This is the will of God, even your sanctification. For God hath not called us unto uncleanliness, but unto holiness, 1 Thess. iv. 3. 7.

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD, and our Saviour Jusus Christ, who gave him