were both, when they remembered, that of those calamities they were warned, that by repentance they might have been averted.

My brethren, I have adduced the instance of those who perished by this judgment of the Almighty, to assist you in conceiving how greatly increased any calamity is by its coming on us unexpectedly. The same object will be answered, by directing your attention to the parable from which the text is taken; and, while considering it, we may derive from it that important instruction which it is designed to convey. How terrible was the surprise, which he, to whom the declaration of the text was directed, must have experienced. "This night thy soul shall be required of thee." This early and sudden termination of his earthly career, was that concerning which he least of all thought, and for which he was most unprovided. He felt that he was affluent; he apprehended no reverse, and determined to be happy. Short-sighted mortal! His vision of happiness was a fallacious one. He was confident of security at a time when in most imminent danger. It was his portion to be surprised by death, and to meet it in an unprepared

What were the circumstances which induced this state of things? They are stated in the parable. The evil is noted to which their existence may be referred. "Beware of covetousness," says our divine Teacher; of that inordinate, increasing

and restless desire of this world's goods. And why is this injunction given? By what reason is it supported? By this simple fact, that a man's life consists not in-is not secured by the abundance of the things which he possesseth. In illustration of this truth, the parable was spoken. An individual had been exceedingly prosperous. Elated with his success, he anticipated a more abundant measure of it; but the term of his life was fixed, and to prolong it all his treasures were utterly useless.

Let us more particularly observe the circumstances of this man, with the influence which they exerted upon his mind.

Providence had remarkably blessed his exertions. The product of his fields was so abundant, that his former store-houses were insufficient to contain them. Now remark the effect which was produced upon him. In the first place, increase of wealth produced an increase of care. This is a natural circumstance; but, although it may serve to diminish the pleasure consequent on the attainment of prosperity, it does not imply any criminality in its subjects. It is to be dreaded, principally, on account of the withdrawal of our attention from more important subjects, by which it is commonly distinguished. We cannot, however, speak thus lighty of another effect which was produced upon the man in the parable. He became a voluptuary, and his folly was only equalled by his criminality. Note the

confidence with which he was filled, the idea which he entertained of his situation. "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years." He thought not of the numerous accidents, as he would say visitations of Providence, as we should call them, by which these temporal possessions might be wrested from him. Still less did he consider that the soul was but a visitant here, and that it might be suddenly called to its final habitation, while its treasures on earth were yet unwasted. For, perishable as they are, human life is oftentimes still more fleeting. But happy had been this man, if to him the charge of folly were alone applicable. This was far from being the case. Το his conduct, guilt, great and indubitable, was attached. God had been good to him, therefore was his benefactor forgotten. Want was obviated, affluence bestowed, and a course of conduct in opposition to the divine will was deliberately adopted. For what was his determination?" Soul, take thine ease; eat, drink, and be merry." Be not concerned about any disagreeable duties. Cherish no apprehensions in regard to the consequences of neglecting them. Indulge, without restraint, the appetites; live in the midst of foolish mirth; in a word, think as little of God and be as much devoted to pleasure as possible. My friends, how must such an one stand in the view of the Almighty? Doubtless, in the divine mind, there

might exist a feeling of pity in reference to this foolish presumption; but a much stronger feeling must be, displeasure against such wickedness. Therefore does the parable represent God as exclaiming, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee "-at once condemning his conduct and resolving to punish it. This sentence was not, perhaps, immediately conveyed to the individual interested; it was, in the first instance, a reflection as well as determination in the mind of Him who knows and directs all things, illustrating the vanity of human hopes and expectations. And he, whose earthly course was foreseen to be so nearly run, might be left a little longer to indulge his dream of security, insensible to danger, until dreadful reality should flash upon his view, and leave not one short moment to prepare for obeying the summons.

The soul was then suddenly required. The body came from earth and will return to it again, until the great day of the resurrection; but our spiritual part came from God, and will pass immediately into his presence, where an account must be rendered, awful in its circumstances and momentous in its consequences. And how could the miserable man, whose case we are considering, prepare for this reckoning? We observe in his previous character a total want of preparation; a state implying not merely the absence of all good,

but the presence of much evil. Say that from the denunciation of approaching calamity until its infliction, a few hours might intervene. A danger so imminent would produce a stupefaction of mind. It could not recover itself sufficiently to apprehend its situation, or to adopt the requisite means of security, were they even at hand. He, then, who is so unhappily situated, if at all apprized of the nature of the evil he is about to encounter, must die in great terror; and he will certainly pass to an awful recompense. And so terminated the career of the rich man in the parable; and thus, remarks our heavenly Teacher, is it with all those who lay up treasures for themselves, but are not rich toward God. So they act, and such is the end to which they shall come.

We can look around us, my brethren, in the world with which we mingle, and perceive many, who, while they are deeply solicitous about temporal things, are in no degree rich toward God, nor manifest any concern about this deficiency. Others there are, who, sometimes remembering their Creator, make a feeble attempt to acquire something of which he will approve; but their strong, and uniform, and persevering exertions respect another object. They are determined to possess this at all hazards; the favor of God may be gained, if a few feeble and transient efforts will suffice for it. These will fall into the same condemnation