humanity, also, speaks the same language. No man (if, indeed, he have not lost the common feelings of a man) can see his fellow creature in distress, without a wish to succour and relieve him. God has implanted the feeling of compassion in our nature, that we may mourn with those that mourn, and be inclined to do them service; and he has so ordered it, that nothing shall give greater pleasure to the mind, than the act of shewing brotherly love and mercy to those who stand in need of our assistance. So, that for a rich man to neglect giving to the poor, and comforting the miserable, is cutting himself off from one of the greatest pleasures of life; a pleasure which no selfish indulgences will ever supply. But prudence, also, bids those who are rich in this world, to be good stewards of their possessions; to "be ready to give, and glad to distribute,

that they may lay up in store for them"selves a good foundation against the time

99 to come. They know full well (or at least they ought to know), that the "fashion "of this world passeth away;" that their riches can last but a little while; that they must soon part with all that they possess, and that, as they are shortly to give an account of their stewardship, so they should dispose of their talent in a way that may

gain them the approbation of their master which is in heaven.

This lesson is taught them by the next verses of the parable. "And it came to pass "that the beggar died, and was carried by "angels into Abraham's bosom; the rich

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man also died, and was buried; and in "hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, "and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus "in his bosom." What a wonderful change is here, my friends! What a great difference has been made by a few days of disease, or by a sudden stroke of death! We hear no more of the rich man's sumptuous fare, or gaudy cloathing; but, that he is all at once plunged into hell, and delivered over to the tormentors. Equally great is the alteration. in the state of Lazarus. He is not now. lying at the gate of Dives, perishing with hunger, and the dogs licking his sores; but, received into Abraham's bosom, and enjoy-. ing the happiness of heaven. A few worldly distinctions were kept up till they were both laid in the tomb: a grand funeral was the last act of the rich man's history upon earth; and Lazarus finished his course by being carried into a common grave, without attendants, and, probably, without any one expressing sorrow that he was no more. No sooner, however, were they in that narrow

house, where "the rich and poor meet to"gether," than their bodies were upon an equal footing, and both given over to be the prey of worms. But not so with their souls. The differences which had appeared in their situation for the few years of their continuance upon earth, were now set straight; and he who had been exalted, was abased; and he who had been abased, was highly exalted. The rich man was in hell, and Lazarus in Abraham's bosom. But here, my brethren, it is necessary to guard you against a great mistake, which it is possible you may fall into, if you consider the parable before us in an improper light. The different lots of the rich man and Lazarus, after death, were not the consequences of the one being affluent, and the other poor, in this world; but they were occasioned by the different manner in which they had behaved in the situations wherein they were placed here below. It does not follow, that a man should be an object of God's displeasure here, or be in danger of perdition hereafter, merely because he has a large proportion of this world's goods; for riches, as I before said, like every other talent, are capable of being made an instrument of God's glory, and of much happiness to our fellow creatures; and consequently, if they are thus managed,

they must be the means of present comfort, and future felicity, to those who have them; and, indeed, if you look around you, you will see many instances, in which they are enjoyed with a grateful heart, and used with a liberal hand; and are therefore bring ing down blessings upon the heads of others, as well as their owners, and securing for the latter a final reception into "everlasting habi"tations. The condemnation of Dives arose from the wicked way in which the rich man disposed of his wealth; consuming it upon his own lusts, while he cared not for the poor and the miserable, but let them want, and starve, and perish, without even sparing to them the crumbs which fell from his own loaded table. In like manner, the blessed change which took place in the situation of Lazarus after death, was not the necessary consequence of his being a poor and wretched man upon earth; but of his having behaved in a christian-like manner under his poverty and wretchedness. Every state of human life has particular virtues, as well as particular temptations connected with it; and according as men fulfil the one, and avoid the other, so will they obtain the favour, or incur the displeasure, of GOD here; and inherit heaven, or be condemned to punishment, hereafter. Thus, for instance, in the

wealthy and the great, GoD expects the graces of compassion to the miserable, liberality to the needy, and moderation in their own gratification; while the temptations against which they are to be particularly on their guard, are, insolence in prosperity; selfishness in enjoyment; excess in their pleasures; and pride, covetousness, and hard-heartedness, in their dispositions. Оп the other hand, the virtues more especially valued by GoD in the poor and unfortunate, are, contentment in their situation; christian resignation under their wants; pious submission to the difficulties and sorrows of their lot; and honesty, industry, and cheer. fulness, in the exercise of their calling in life-while the sins more especially connected with their situation, and which therefore they are the more carefully to avoid, are, murmuring at the appointments of Providence; dissatisfaction at their place in society; a desire to better themselves by dishonest means; and endeavours to forget the hardships of their state in drunkenness and debauchery. It was the manner, therefore, in which Lazarus bore his trials, that procured for him a seat in Abraham's bosom, when he died. He had not murmured at God's providence, because he was poor and lowly; he had not committed fraudulent