it in a secret place, or under a bushel. Whereas Christ was come as a light into the world, that whoever believed in Him should not abide in darkness. Why then was the light not perceived? why were the signs not acknowledged? It is with the mind as with the eye,-both must be in a sound and healthy state, or the light may be poured upon them in vain. The light of the body is the eye; but the whole body may be full of darkness, though surrounded by the brightest sunshine, if the eye which should enlighten it is diseased: and so, if the eye of the mind is evil, the light which is in it will be darkness. The heart will not be guided and directed, but misled and deceived to its own ruin. The occasion of this discourse will plainly show what our Lord condemned as the eye that is not single. He had restored a man who had an unclean spirit, and was dumb; "But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub, the prince of the devils." Here then was the evil eye, so perverted as to call darkness light, and light darkness; to ascribe the word of God to Satan, the good deed to the enemy of goodness. Therefore shall no sign be given to this evil generation, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. They shall be allowed to proceed in their wicked blindness till they "crucify the Prince of life:" till the resurrection of His body from the grave fulfils the type of Jonas, who, after a like interment, became a sign unto the Ninevites. "And the Ninevites, though not a chosen nation, a peculiar people," perceived that the sign was from heaven and obeyed it. (Jonah iii. 5.) The people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast; and the king arose from his throne, and laid his robe from him, and published throughout Nineveh, "Let all cry mightily unto God; yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from His fierce anger, that we perish not?" we perish not?" Should not this condemn the hardened inhabitants of Jerusalem, the unrepenting men of Judah? And so, the queen of the south, the queen of Sheba, (1 Kings x.) "when she heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, came to prove him with hard questions, and communed with him of all that was in her heart. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, there was no more spirit in her; and she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom: blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighteth in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel!" Here then was an example for the Jews: a greater than Solomon was amongst them: gracious words proceeded out of his mouth, and He taught them as one having authority; but they came to Him, not to inquire but to cavil, and with hearts proof against conviction. Therefore should the queen of the south, and the men of Nineveh, rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them. We must attend to the reason why they fell into this condemnation: the light which was in them was darkness, and they "loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” They opposed our Lord because they fancied themselves righteous; they thought they had eternal life, and they would not come unto HIM that they might have life; might repent, and be converted, and He might heal them. Hence the warning, Take heed that the light which is in thee be not darkness. Take heed that the principle on which you act be not a false principle; the dependence on which you trust a vain dependence, which has no foundation. Doubtless the most destructive errors often arise from a principle within, which makes the light darkness. The light in St. Paul was darkness at the time when he " thought verily within himself that he ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth." The light in the Jews was darkness, when "being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit themselves to the righteousness of God." The apostle bore them witness that "they had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." And the case is still the same. We often find those who, instead of searching the Scriptures Rom. x. 2, 3. 1 " 1 for rules of action, make rules for themselves; or, if they do search the Scriptures, search them rather to support their own notions, than really to become acquainted with the divine will. Many, for example, boldly maintain that it signifies little what a man may believe, so that his morals are without blame. Now, if it be true that "He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son hath not life," then such men's principle is wrong, and the light within them darkness. Others, again, will hold that Christ is our righteousness; and that to look for evidences of faith is to subvert the finished work of Christ. Now, if it be true that by "works is faith made perfect," this principle is also wrong, this light darkness. So much need is there to take heed, for "the heart is deceitful above all things." Still "light is come into the world," and "he that doeth truth, whose eye is single, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought of God." Such an one shall not be left to abide in darkness; the Spirit of Christ shall shine upon him, and as the bright shining of a candle shall give him light. He only "that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." ^ James ii. 22. 21 John v. 12. LECTURE XLV. RICH MAN LAYING UP TREASURES. LUKE xii. 15-21. 15. "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16. "And He spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully : 17. "And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18. "And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19. "And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20. "But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? 21. "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." So is he so unwise, imprudent, irrational. And yet how awfully large is the class which he represents? Here is simply the description of a person whose affections are set on earthly things. He does not defraud; he does not withhold the inheritance from his brother; his goods were increased in the most lawful mode; his ground brought forth plentifully. Now this, |