their "Amen to this ; and sing their praises unto God who sit- teth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever'." Compare with this work, then, " all the labour that is done under the sun," and it is no better than laborious folly. Not he that accumulates to himself wealth or honour, but " he that winneth souls, is wise."]'
What, in conclusion, shall I say ? What ?
1. Let every one seek the salvation of his own soul —
[Is it loisdom to icin the souls of others ? What folly, then,
nmst it be to lose our own ? In this labour we have
more abundant encouragement. We may seek to save others, and fail in our attempt : but who ever failed, that sought sal- vation for his own soul 1 Find, in the annals of the whole world, one who ever looked to Christ in vain ? Who ever washed in the fountain of his blood in vain ? or for whom did the grace of Christ ever prove inadequate and insufficient? Let the world deride this labour as folly, if they please : they will soon see who it is that is really wise ; and will soon condemn themselves, more bitterly than now the most envenomed amongst them condemn the righteous: " We fools accounted their life mad- ness, and their end to be without honour: but now we see how
greatly we have erred from the v/ay of truth "*." Who
then is wise among you, let him " give himself wholly " to the concerns of his soul ; for " the wise shall inherit glory ; but shame shall be the promotion of fools "."]
2. Let every one seek also the salvation of others —
[There are many ways in which this may be done"
In particular, let every one attend to his own household. For these, in a more especial manner, is every one responsible
But in whatever way our exertions are called forth,
let us remember that they must be used in a wise, discreet, affectionate manner. We must doubtless declare the whole counsel of God : but, if we would succeed in our labours, we must endeavour to " win souls" hy love, and not drive them away by severity and terror ]
1 Rev. V, 11—13. m Wisd. v. 4 — 6. " Prov. iii. 35.
° Here any particular means may be insisted on, according as the particular occasion may require : for instance, The Ministry — - The Visiting of the Sick — The Instructing of Chiklren — The Sending forth of the Holy Scriptures — The Support of Missions, &c. &c.
o
no PROVERBS, XII. 26. [779.