can often do things which more decided characters would be unable to effect. I think it highly probable, that not all the Disciples together could have prevailed on Pilate to give them the body of Jesus ; nor would the chief priests have suffered even Joseph and Nicodemus to have the body, if they had been generally known as followers of Christ. But the man that will draw back from Christ, and conform to the world with any such expectation as this, little thinks to what peril he subjects his own soul, and what a stigma will be fixed upon him by Almighty God, even if he should find mercy at his hands in the last day. Beloved brethren, know this, that " ye cannot serve God and mammon tooq." " If ye will be friends of the world, ye must be the enemies of Godr," and be dealt with as enemies in the eternal world. I mean not to discourage exer- tion in the pursuit either of wealth or science : but an ambitious coveting of distinction I must declare to be utterly inconsistent with true piety. " Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world : if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him8." I can have little doubt, but that if Joseph and Nicodemus had been in a lower sphere of life, they would have earlier confessed our blessed Lord. It was their elevation that kept them back : for lofty mountains are usually barren, in comparison of the lowly valleys. And you likewise may have reason to curse the day that ever you were raised to spheres of eminence and distinction. Be content, then, with the sphere in which it has pleased God to place you. If only you reflect, that " it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven," you will see the wisdom of that advice, " Seekest thou great things unto thyself? Seek them not1."]
2. Let us follow the dictates of our own con- science—
[How lamentable was it, that Nicodemus, for the space of three years, should suppress, instead of following, the voice of God within him. Were he now to return from heaven, and sojourn here again, what shame would he take to himself for such unworthy conduct ! Beloved brethren, let us serve God, and him only, even though all around us should depart from him u. Let us, like Caleb and Joshua, " follow the Lord fully x." Who does not admire Elijah, when he stood alone, as he thought, in the midst of all Israel? Thus let us do. " If the Lord be God, let us follow him," in despite both of men and devils.]
i Matt. vi. 24. ' Jam. iv. 4. s 1 John ii. 15, 1G.
1 Jer. xlv. 5. u Josh. xxiv. 15. x Numb. xiv. 24.
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