Eccl. ix. 10. Whatsoever thy hand Jindeth to do, do it tvith thy might ; for there is no work, nor device, nor knoivledge, nor ivisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.
THE greater part of mankind imagine, that a con- tinued round of worldliness and pleasure will consist with religion. But their opinion is contradicted by the whole tenour of Scripture, which uniformly enjoins deadness to the world and devotedness to God.
There are however some who err on the other side ; and who make rehgion to consist in penances, and pilgrimages, and mortifications, and a total abstinence from all indulgences, however innocent, not excepting even the comforts and endearments of domestic life. In direct opposition to these are the words of Solomon in all the preceding context. He contends, that neither a cheerful use of the bounties of Providence, nor a prudent participation of the elegancies of life, nor a free enjoyment of conjugal affection, will at all interfere with our " acceptance with God," provided our ardour in the pursuit of heavenly things be not diminished by them^ With this St. Paul also agrees : for he says, that " God hath given us all things richly to enjoy;" and, that " godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come."
It is not our intention, however, to enter into this general question ; but rather to confine ourselves to the direction of Solomon in the text ; in which we notice,
I. His advice —
Industry in temporal concerns is doubtless an im- portant duty ; and we may certainly understand the words before us as inculcating, and enforcing this duty. But the advice must relate also to spiritual concerns, in transacting which more especially, the utmost zeal is necessary.
Every man has a work to do for his soul —
[The unconverted have to get a sense of their guilt and danger, to turn unto their God with the deepest penitence and contrition, and to have their souls renewed after the divine
image The penitent have also a great work to do.
They have only just set out upon their race, and have as yet all the ground before them, over which they are to run. They have to obtain the knowledge of Christ, and get their souls washed in his blood ; and, in conformity to his example, to serve God in newness of heart and life The converted too, what- ever attainments they may have made, have still much which their " hand findeth to do." They have many lusts to mortify,
a ver. 7 — 10. VOL. VII. c c