reasoning, can they be considered as acting more suitably to their Christian profession who neglect to make a necessary provision for their children ^ But we may gather from the very terms in which the direction is expressed, what are the limitations with which it is to be understood. The measure, the manner, the end, are all clearly defined. We are not to lay up " trea- sm^es." What is necessary for the carrying on of our trade, or for the supporting of ourselves in old age, or for the enabling of our family to maintain that rank of life wherein they have been educated, may be considered as allowable : but what is laid up for the sake of enriching and aggrandizing our family, may be justly included in the prohibition before us. Of course, no precise sum can be fixed ; because what would be wealth to one man, would be poverty to another : but whatever argues discontent, and a desire of elevating ourselves and our families above the rank which Providence has allotted us in life, sliould be regarded with a jealous eye and a trembling heart. Tiic " treasuring up treasures," as the original term imports, may not unfitly represent to us that kind of solicitude which our Lord forbids. Though it is a mode of expression quite com- mon in the Greek, yet it conveys an idea of eagerness and covetousness which ai'e altogether contrary to the Christian character. Christianity does not require a man to cast away, or even to give away, his paternal inheritance, or all the fruits of his own labour : but it absolutely forbids him to find delight in treasuring up his wealth, or in looking to it as a source either of safety or happiness. The laying up of treasures "for our- selves"" is also particularly forbidden: and in this view there is little difference, whether we have respect to our own personal comfort, or the comfort of our children, who are, in fact, a part of ourselves. The saying, " Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years," argues a sordid and earthly mind ; and renders us peculiarly obnoxious to the Divine displeasure.
Thus the prohibitory part of this direction must be taken somewhat in a qualified sense, as it respects the act: though it is altogether unqualified, as it respects the hahit of our minds.]
2. The positive part —
[Here there is not the same necessity for assigning any limits to the expression, or for guarding persons against excess in their endeavours to follow the Divine command. Here the measure, the manner, the end of our desires should accord with the full import of the words themselves. What we lay up in heaven should be considered as our richest " /reasz/re .-" and we should " treasure it ujj" with insatiable avidity. We should lay it up also with an especial viewto "ourselves." What we
" 2 Cor. xii. 14.