[Many consider religion as destructive of all personal and social happiness —
But what is there in this representation of religion that de- serves such a character ? —
Let the world call it f oily if they will ; but God accounts it " wisdom " — ]
2. What reason have the most godly to blush and be ashamed !
[We must not estimate our religion by our opinions so much as by our practice —
Doubtless we must build on Christ as our only foundation; but we have no evidence of an union with him any further than we raise upon him this holy superstructure —
Alas ! what poor builders have the very best of us been ; and how little progress have we made when we judge by this test !— ]
3. What need have we to wait continually upon our God in prayer !
[This wisdom is " from above," and can be derived jfrom God alone —
And how can we obtain it of him, but in the exercise of prayer ? —
Let us then ask it of him, who has promised to impart it " liberally, and without upbraiding •= " — ]
*Jam. i. 5.
Jam. iv. 13, 14. Go to now, ye thai say, To-day, or to-morrow, we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and luy and sell, and get gain : ivhereas ye know not what shall he on the morroiv : for what is your life P it is even a vapour, that oppearethfor a little time, and then vanisheth away.
RELIGION has ever a tendency to decline. Sin has pre-occupied the ground : and, though religion expels it for a time, it is ever watching, as it were, for an opportunity to return, and to regain its former ascendant over the soul. Even in the Apostolic age manifold declensions were found, not only in indivi- duals, but in whole Churches : and St. James, with the utmost fidelity and earnestness, set himself to counteract the fatal evil. Amongst the various evils
which