Page:Profit and loss, or, The Christian merchant.pdf/9

 who are rich, or who are striving to be rich. They are equally applicable to every one whose heart is set on this world, or in what he possesses of it, whether it be little or much. There is a great world, and there is a little world; there is a gay world, and there is a penurious world; and the devotees of these respective worlds, are all in equal danger of losing themselves. There are some rich men who, through divine grace, have treasure in heaven, and their hearts are there; while they consider the wealth which they have received as the gift of God, to be employed in his service. And there are many poor men, whose hearts are in this world alone, desiring wealth that they may consume it upon their lusts, and coveting what they cannot obtain. Should this extract be read by any such, let them consider, that if the rich are in danger of losing their souls, they are not safe because they are poor. There is no more security in the one state than in the other. It is the love of the world, and not the possession of it, in which the evil lies. It is as impossible to love both God and this world, as it is to serve God and Mammon; for “if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Reader, are you conscious that you love the things of this world better than you love God? then it is certain you love the world alone, and not God at all. Think of the danger of your condition. What will you do when you are called to appear before the judgement-seat of that God whom you do not love By hard labour and penury, you may acquire a portion of what you do love; but suppose you should acquire all that your heart could hold, and lose your own soul, where is the profit?

It is but a little of this world that any man can