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officers of Cæsar. "Render, therefore, to Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's, and unto God the things which are God's." It is noticeable, in this remarkable injunction of our Saviour, that rendering to Cæsar the things that are his, is inculcated with the same emphasis, as rendering to God the things which are due to Him. And in the Levitical institu tion, God expressly enjoined, "Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him; the wages of him that is hired, shall not abide with thee all night, until the morning." It is thus, evidently, the will of our Heavenly Father, that we should not plunge in debt, thereby disqualifying ourselves to deal justly by others. By His direction, we are not only "to love mercy and walk humbly;" but to "do justly." not do, while disregarding the injunction of the text. By needlessly resorting to credit, then, an express divine appointment is wickedly transgressed. Let this thought effectually deter us from the deed. Let it suffice, that God has forbidden.

This we can

The authority of God, surely, and the various other considerations which have been suggested, sufficiently evince the propriety of the direction in the text. I would now then,

II. Offer some considerations, to aid a strict compliance with the direction.

It is not supposed that our observations can apply to all particular cases; that debts, in every instance, can be avoided. They sometimes come of necessity, in consequence of what may be styled the act of God, such as sickness, tempest, or fire. A person may be so impoverished by such casualties, as not to be able to subsist a day without incurring debt.

It ought also to be observed, that there is some distinction in debts themselves, with regard to their threatening nature, or injurious tendency. Those incurred in the purchase of real estate, or property which may again be disposed of, without sacrifice, are very different from such as arise from indulging luxury, or procuring perishable things.

What follows will respect, generally, a compliance with the command in the text, without regard to particular cases.

And,

1. Remember that debts, however long forborne, or much accumulated, will one day be required. However easy may be the work of involving ourselves; yet the labor and toil of extrication is before us. And although we may esteem the time of forbearance long, and our credit good; yet such opinions do not annihilate claims, nor satisfy the wants of those we owe. More substantial proof of our ability will be demanded. These considerations ought ever to be in view, when we are tempted to incur debt.

2. Remember the worth of time. This precious grant was never made by the Creator, without an accompanying obligation, wisely to improve it. And, however vainly we may pass it away, its loss we shall

afterward most assuredly feel, to our shame and bitter regret. Every moment, idly and unprofitably spent, is at the expense, either of our mental improvement, or worldly substance. Whoever wishes to avoid embarrassment and want, must be economical of time. He must be in his calling, seasonably and steadily. The morning must witness his punctuality, and the day his regular and systematic attention. The man of business is not necessarily required, because of unfavorable weather, to relinquish all employment, and repair to some place of public resort, for company and cheer. His care may be profitably devoted to objects at home, which, in a season favorable to business abroad, might be neglected. And especially, if nothing else require his time, he may very usefully employ it in instructive reading. For knowledge is power, for every purpose. Let these considerations be regarded, then, by every one who would avoid chilling poverty, or vexing embarrassment.

3. Avoid luxury; especially in things of mere appetite. Writers of discernment have ever esteemed this the most ruinous species of luxury ; because, in proportion as it is indulged, the bodily and mental faculties are enfeebled; and in direct proportion as property is expended, or debt incurred in this way, the ability diminishes for replacing it, or making payment. He, then, who would avoid embarrassment, should, above all things, avoid incurring debt in this manner. If he must owe,

let him owe for things of vital importance; but let his name be written any where as debtor, rather than at the retailer's bar, or the confectioner's shop. Surely Dr. is an unpropitious mark in such a place; it is ominous of trouble, and final ruin.

4. Be scrupulous in limiting expenses to the measure of your income. Custom should not tempt us to extend our expenditures beyond our means. Multitudes, by so doing, have closed their worldly career in want and degradation. The vessel, surely, although large, if filled only by pints, must be very capacious, not to be exhausted in time by quarts. If your circumstances be but moderate, you cannot surely think to rival in splendor the really affluent. Far better, and more honorable, to be clad in a plain garb, than to shine in one which our resources cannot afford. What strange infatuation must a temporary splendor exhibit, when it is sure to be followed by poverty, degradation, and wretchedness!

5. Never despise honest labor. The idea that labor is servile and degrading, is palpably erroneous. It is, also, a very dangerous one to be entertained, under a government like ours, where the privileges of all are equal. We have no hereditary lordships to be entailed; no princely estates to be kept unimpaired, by the munificence of a crown. Property, if retained, must be kept by unremitting diligence and enterprise. And the individual who despises labor, the fundamental source of inde

pendence, must ultimately fail. His means, without this resource, will diminish, and at length become exhausted. It is important then, that every one, hoping to spend his days in comfort, should cherish honorable ideas of labor; and however easy may be his circumstances, or elevated his station, that he should not feel himself above untiring industry. Labor is needful for fallen man. It is necessary for the health of his body, and the vigor of his intellect. It is, also, a salutary preventive of vice, and an efficacious corrective and preservative of morals. And were it more generally regarded in this light, towns, cities, villages, and especially prisons, would exhibit less frequently the sad results of false pride and indolence.

6. Avoid depending on speculation and artifice. These may succeed for a time, and open a door for the rapid accumulation of wealth. But while affluence is rearing itself on such foundations, an undermining process is usually going on. The art which has acquired for one, will become the art of another, who, in his turn, will circumvent and outreach the long successful adventurer; and the stream, so long flowing into his coffers, will become diverted in its course. Besides, such a life will lead, more or less, to evil company, and to habits unfriendly, both to mental peace and permanent prosperity. And almost certain it is, that the family arriving at opulence in this way, will soon experience a sad

reverse.

7. Never neglect the duties and obligations of religion. Without the blessing of God, none can prosper; and without obedience to his commands, none can reasonably expect his blessing. Notwithstanding the attempts which are often made, to explain away the temporal benefits of religion, by showing that the ungodly prosper, while the praying believer lives in penury; yet it will hold good, as a general rule, that the way of religious duty and obedience is the way to worldly competence and lasting prosperity. It is religious duty which confirms us in a sense of justice and honesty, which guards us against temptation, which secures us from the approach of unfriendly habit, which dissuades us from pride, vanity, and extravagance, which teaches us the preciousness of time, encourages us in deligence and industry, and leads to a just estimate of all things. To train men to the regular and successful practice of the arts of civilization, no better method can be pursued, than to train them to a course of religious duty. Hence, this method is ever resorted to, in forming to usefulness and happiness the barbarous and uncivilized tribes of men. The path of religious duty is the only one on which the blessing of God permanently shines. Forsake this, and you will be forsaken. Neglect prayer, and you will be neglected. Disregard the holy Sabbath, and the public worship of God, and adversity awaits you. If not ruined by others, you will be your own destroyers.

8. Ever bear in mind, that God is opposed to the habit of contracting debt. This habit is not only wholly at variance with the economy of His providence; but also, in direct repugnance, as we have seen, to His holy word. Remember, then, that the will of God is counteracted, that the precepts of the Bible are outraged, by suffering yourself to owe, beyond your means of seasonable and expected payment. Let this consideration, and the remembrance that God seeth you, prevent all extravagance, and waken you to industry. Remember, that in transgressing God's command, you can never enjoy his smile-your life cannot be peaceful, nor death serene, nor His judgment-seat be approached without shame and horror. Let a holy dread of His displeasure, then, affix to this sin such a turpitude of guilt in your view, as shall for ever restrain you from incurring debt, or delaying an expected payment. Let the express injunction, "Owe no man any thing," ever bear on your conscience with the authority of Almighty God. For God is serious in his injunc tions; and "he that offends in one point, is guilty of all "

Thus have I offered some reasons for the sacred injunction of the text, and some considerations for securing a strict compliance with it.

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And now, is there not weight in these reasons and considerations? and are they not enforced by the highest Authority? Pause and reflect. Obey and prosper. Use the world as not abusing it. Prudently enjoy, or "freely give," what your honest endeavor, with the blessing of Heaven, may procure. Seek not great wealth; for "they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare.' Make no display of more than your own resources can command. Render to all their dues. Especially, render unto God the things that are His, by having respect unto all His commands. So shall His countenance ever shine on your path; the world shall be the better for your existence; peace and hope shall smoothe your dying pillow, and durable riches at God's right hand be your final reward. AMEN.

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OBJECTIONS OBVIATED, AND GOD GLORIFIED, BY THE SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE HEATHEN.

ACTS xi. 18.-When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the gentiles granted repentance unto life.

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Ir gives us a peculiar pleasure to accompany the missionaries through those regions, and along the very paths, once consecrated by the residence and the journeys of Christ and his apostles. But how much more interesting to the missionaries themselves, to walk in the footsteps, and stand on the precise spot, where our blessed Lord walked and stood, when upon earth. What mingled emotions must be enkindled in the bosom of the pious pilgrim, while he drinks of the same fountain which afforded refreshment to the Son of God when weary with journeying and not only this; but enjoys the privilege of gazing on the hallowed place where he became incarnate ;-where he first saw the light of this world;-where he closed his eyes in death;-where he arose from the sepulchre ;-and where he was parted from his disciples, and ascended into heaven, while in the very act of blessing them. It is no superstition to be tenderly affected by scenes like these: it is the genuine effect of the association of ideas, in minds imbued with the love of Christ. It must have occurred to the attentive reader of the journals of our missionaries, that they often present facts, which bear a strong resemblance to incidents recorded in the Acts of the Apostles: and we are especially struck with this analogy, when the facts occurred in the same place: as, when we read the accounts of their visits to Jerusalem, to Bethany, to Gethsemane, to Calvary, to Bethlehem, to Nazareth, and to the sea of Tiberias; and of their journeys through Samaria to Galilee, and along the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

It is worthy of remark also, that the principles on which the gospel is now

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