adheres to the soul as the members to the body™. Even good people still feel its existence and operation within them. Who has not to lament, that in his intei'course with the world he feels somewhat of an undue bias at times, inclining- him to lean towards his own interests, and to decide a doubtful point in his own favour ? We do not say, that a good man will indulge this principle, but that he w'\\\feel it ; and that he will find within himself a necessity of being much upon his guard, to prevent it from warping his judgment and influencing his conduct. If this then be the case with respect to those who are crucified to the world, much more must it be so with those who are yet carnal and unrenewed.]
2. A delusive principle —
[We are apt to think that earthly things will make us happy : but our Lord tells us, in the words immediately follow- ing our text, that " a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth." The truth is, that man's happiness is altogether independent of earthly things. Hear how the Prophet Habakkuk speaks on this subject: " Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines ; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls ; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of my salvation"." This clearly proves, that, how- ever destitute we may be of all earthly comforts, our hearts may overflow with peace and joy : " we may be sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing, having nothing, and yet possessing all things." On the other hand, it is certain that a man may possess all that the world can give him, and yet be miserable ; or, as Job ex- presses it, "In the midst of his sufficiency he may be in straits0." How often do we see persons, after attaining more than they had ever expected or desired, far less happy than they were at the commencement of their career ! We may appeal to the experience of all, whether the increase of their happiness have kept pace with the augmentation of their wealth ? We are well assured, that the more sanguine any person's expectations of happiness are from the acquisition of wealth, the greater will his disappointments be ; and that every human being must sooner or later confess with Solomon, that all below the sun is " vanity and vexation of spirit."]
3. A debasing principle —
[It is worthy of observation, that the word ' lucre' occurs but four times in the New Testament, and every time has the term 'filthy' annexed to it. Nor is this without reason; for covetousness defiles and debases the soul as much as any
m Col. hi. 5. n Hab. hi. 17, 18. ° Job xx. 22.