account which we must shortly give to him at the judgment- seat of Christ. Whilst we look to him in such a mind as this, we need not fear but that he will lead us aright, and prosper us in our ways, and conduct us in safety to his heavenly kingdom.]
1 Cor. vii. 29 — 31. This T say, brethren, the time is short : it remaineth, that both they that have toives be as though they had 7ione ; and they that weep, as though they ivept not ; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not ; and they that buy, as though they possessed not ; and they that use this ivorld, as not abusing it : for the fashion of this ivorld passeth away.
IT is 110 inconsiderable part of Christian wisdom to distinguish clearly between things lawful, things expedient, and things necessary : since many things must be reduced under one or other of these heads according to the circumstances connected with them. The Apostle is writing upon the subject of marriage ; and gives it as his opinion, that though at all times lawful, and to some persons necessary, it was, at that particular season, inexpedient for those who could conveniently abstain from it ; because the cares ne- cessarily attendant on a married life would increase their difficulties during the present persecuted and afflicted state of the Church. But, while they were all left at liberty respecting the line of conduct they would pursue in relation to this, he solemnly warns them, that the same abstraction from worldly cares, and indifference to worldly pleasure, were necessary for all who would approve themselves to God. As his words equally concern the Church of God in all ages, it will be proper to consider, I. The direction given us with respect to the things of time and sense —
It is but too obvious that men's regards to this world are, for the most part, inordinate an.d ex- cessive—