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النشر الإلكتروني

Of this we may be sure, that, although living in the world, St. Matthew's thoughts were not of the world, St. Matthew's heart was not set on the world. He had had holy and blessed thoughts even in the midst of the world's business, he had cherished pure affections and earnest strivings after the things of a better life than that in the midst of which he was living; amid the din and noise of the world he had heard God's voice, whether in the holy Scriptures of the Old Testament or in his own conscience, and so he could hear, and recognise, and obey the voice of the Son of God, when He called him.

There is then no station or condition of life, no necessary business, provided only it be not evil and wrong in itself, but that those who are engaged in it may exercise themselves, at the same time, in the duties of religion and piety, and so, by God's help, form true Christian habits of thought, of feeling, of conduct. Almighty God has not so ordered it as that any man's state of life, unto which He has called him, shall, of itself, and of necessity, shut him out from the duties, the graces, or the comforts of religion.

Doubtless, particular stations and ranks have their particular trials and temptations, and offer particular hindrances and obstacles to a godly, a

righteous, or a sober life; and they are indeed in danger who have riches, or are engaged in procuring them. Holy Scripture is full of warning to such, as in the words of St. Paul to Timothy: "But they that will be rich fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which, while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.' And again, our Lord Himself in the gospels: beware of covetousness.

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"Take heed, and And again: "Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation." And again, when the young man who had great possessions went away sorrowful, our Lord said, “That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Now, doubtless, these sentences of holy Scripture are a serious warning to us, so many of us as are in any way occupied about riches, and who is not so occupied, more or less, in this age and country? They are indeed a call to us to join from the heart in the words of this day's collect, that God would "grant us grace to forsake all covetous desires and inordinate love of riches, and to follow His Son Jesus Christ" in

the way of true Christian obedience and service. Yet does the example of St. Matthew teach us that we need not despair; through God's grace and mercy we may overcome even these difficulties. What is impossible with man, is possible with God; and so, again, is possible for man with God's help. No station, no occupation, can exclude the duties of our Christian calling; no necessary cares so fill the heart as to shut out, and leave no room for, the cares of a future life; no outward circumstances, in themselves, check and prevent the growth of the Christian graces in the soul. And this lesson the Church would have us learn, as on this day, from the example of the holy apostle and evangelist St. Matthew.

May we have grace to learn it; may we have grace to walk by faith, not by sight; to have our conversation, our hearts, our treasure in heaven, even when we are forced, by the circumstances of our daily life, and by the duties of our calling, to be engaged in the business of this world; may we never so labour for the meat that perisheth, as that we forget to labour for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life; may we never be so careful and troubled about many things, as to forget that one thing is needful; may we ever

bear in mind that it shall not profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul; may we ever look to God for what we need, for food and raiment; may we ever seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Thus may we humbly trust that God will bless and prosper, and sanctify our daily labours, that they may be to us-not occasions of sin, but—a school of Christian graces, wherein we may, ever more and more, both learn and practise our duty towards God, and our duty towards our neighbour.

JOHN HENRY PARKER, OXFORD AND LONDON.

Sermons for the Christian Seasons.

ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS.

ANGELS AND THEIR MINISTRY.

HEB. i. 14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

THESE words set forth to us the nature and office of the holy angels. Their nature, that they are spirits, not flesh and blood, as we are, but pure spirits. Their office, that they are ministering, sent forth by God to minister for them. who shall be heirs of salvation.

And, surely, this may well call up our awe and wonder; that there are beings of a nature far higher and purer than our own, beings who have never sinned against God, never fallen away from God, but have continued to do unto Him true, and faithful, and dutiful service, from the first hour of their creation, and who now do His will in heaven in all things. And that these holy and blessed spirits are yet sent by God to minis

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