others, who do not agree with him. — One thing only must never be forgotten. Those who fast should do it quietly, secretly, and without ostentation. Let them not " appear to men" to fast. Let them not fast to man, but to God. Worldliness is one of the greatest dangers that beset man's soul. It is no wonder that we find our Lord speaking strongly about it. It is an insidious, specious, j)lausible enemy. It seems so innocent to pay close attention to our business ! It seem.s so harmless to seek our happiness in this world, so long as we keep clear of open sins ! Yet here is a rock on which many make shipwreck to all eternity. They " lay up treasure on earth," and forget to " lay up treasure in heaven." May we all remember this ! Where are our hearts ? Y/hat do we love best ? Are our cliiefest affections on things in earth, or things in heaven ? Life or death depends on the answer we can give to these questions. If our treasure is earthly, our hearts will be earthly also. " Where your treasure is, there wiU your heart be."
Singleness of purpose is one great secret of spiritual prosperity. If our eyes do not see distinctly, we cannot walk without stumbling and flilling. If we attempt to work for two different masters, we are sure to give satis- faction to neither. It is just the same with respect to our souls. We cannot serve Christ and the world at the same time. It is vain to attempt it. The thing cannot be done. The ark and Dagon will never stand together. God must be king over our hearts. His law. His will, His precepts must receive our first attention. Then, and not till then, everything in our inward man will fall into its right place. Unless our hearts are so ordered,
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everything will be in confusion. " Thy whole body shall be full of darkness."
Let us learn from our Lord's instruction about fastins;, the great iinportance of cheerfulness in our religion. Those words, " anoint thy head, and wash thy face/' are full of deep meaning. They should teach us to aim at letting men see, that we find Christianity makes us happy. Never let us forget that there is no religion in looking melan- choly and gloomy. Are we dissatisfied with Christ's wages, and Christ's service ? Surely not ! Then let us not look as if we were.
Let us learn from our Lord's caution about worldliness what immense need we all have to loatch and pray against an eartlily spii'it. What are the vast majority of profess- ing Christians round us doing ? They are " laying up treasure on earth." There can be no mistake about it. Their tastes, their ways, their habits tell a fearful tale. They are not " laying up treasure in heaven." Oh ! let us all beware that we do not sink into hell by paying excessive attention to lawful things. Open transgression of God's law slays its thousands, but worldliness its tens of thousands.
Let us learn from our Lord's words about the " single eye," the true secret of the failures , which so many Chris- tians seem to make in their religion. There are failures in all quarters. There are thousands in our churches uncomfortable, ill at ease, and dissatisfied with themselves, and they hardly know why. The reason is revealed here. They are trying to keep in with both sides. They are endeavoring to please God and please man, to serve Christ and serve the world at the same time. Let us
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