now possess we sliould dispose of for the good of others ; but what we lay up in heaven can be enjoyed by ourselves only ; and should be regarded by us as the only portion deserving our pursuit.
This then is the direction which we are to follow : and herein we may well take for our guides those persons who go abroad for the acquisition of wealth. They go thither for one fixed purpose, which they follow uniformly during their continuance there. They never for a moment forget that they are labouring with a view to tlieir future happiness in their native country. They never suffer a year to pass without inquiring how far they have succeeded in expediting or securing the great object before them. They lose no opportunity of remitting home the produce of their labour : and they feel increasing satisfaction in proportion as the time approaches for the termination of their present exertions, and the complete fruition of their long- wished-for enjoyments. So should it be with us. We should follow our present occupations as subservient to future happi- ness: we should account every day lost which has not added somewhat to our store, and laid a foundation for eternal bliss. We should make our remittances from time to time, depositing to the utmost of our power in the bank of heaven ; and should consider ourselves as rich, not in proportion to what we spend at present, but rather in proportion to what we can lay up for future enjoyment.]
Let us now turn our attention to,
II. The reasons with which it is enforced —
These are taken from different sources :
1. From the comparative value of the different kinds of treasure —
[Earthly treasure, of whatever kind it be, is perishable in its nature, and uncertain in its duration: whereas heavenly treasure is incorruptible, and eternal. The wealth of the ancients consisted much in the number of their superb gar- ments, which " moths" might easily destroy. Even their pre- cious metals might at last be consumed by " rust" and canker; and at all events they might be taken away by deceit or vio- lence. The uncertainty of earthly possessions was never more manifest than in the present age. But if we be rich in faith and in good works, if we have laid up treasures of that kind in heaven, what shall ever lessen their value, or who shall ever rob us of the enjoyment of them ? " No moth or rust shall ever cor- rupt them ; no thief shall ever break through to steal them."
Say then. Whether this be not reason sufficient for laying up treasures in heaven, rather than on earth ? Even if we could realize all our expectations with respect to this world, our