things above, and not upon things below s?" You have hitherto regarded the blessed Savioui', and your own immortal soul, as though you regarded them not; and suffered your whole heart to be occupied about the world. Now reverse your conduct, and all will yet be well : let the greatest con- cerns of time and sense make but a light impression on your minds ; and let an interest in Christ, and the salvation of your soul, be regarded henceforth as the one thing needful. " Be no longer fools, but wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil*^ :" and while the fashion of this world is passing away, endeavour to secure an " incorruptible inheritance in heaven."]
s Col. iii. 2. h Eph. v. 15, 16.
1 Cor. vii. 32. / tcould have tjou without carefulness.
THERE were, as might be expected, subjects of great difficulty and delicacy submitted, from time to time, to the Apostle Paul, for his decision. In matters of expediency was he consulted, no less than of duty. Of that nature was the question which was proposed to him from Corinth, on the subject of marriage. Of the lawfulness of that holy ordinance there could be no doubt, since it was instituted by God himself, even in the time of man's innocency in Paradise. But of the expediency of embarking in the engagements of matrimony, under the circumstances of the Church in that day of trial and persecution, reasonable doubts might well be entertained. His opinion upon it there- fore was asked ; and he gave his judgment with all the tenderness that the occasion required. '' In that season of distress %" he thought that persons of either sex would do well to keep themselves unmarried ; since they would be more at liberty to act, or suffer, for the Lord, than if they were involved in the cares and duties of a family. And as to the general ques- tion, whilst he left all to judge and act for themselves, he thought that, where no very urgent reason existed for engaging in the matrimonial contract, it would be
» ver. 26.