May 5

Use this world as not abusing it.--1 Corinthians 7:31.

DO I bear in mind that if I fail to use the world, as God commands, to his honor and glory, then I abuse it; and for this he will soon call me into judgment? Is it not abusing the world, making a wrong use of it, if I allow it to be the master instead of the servant—if I give it the place in my heart that should be kept sacred for God alone? Do I not abuse the world, if I fix my affections on it, or if I live in it as if there were no world beyond?

The world is good in its place. To possess it, may not be injurious; to be possessed by it, is destructive alike to character, to happiness, and to the soul. *

As you care for your soul, beware of the world! It has slain its thousands and tens of thousands. Achan, Haman, Ananias, Sapphira, Demas and Judas, all were ruined by it. Beware lest it ruin you! What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? *

True rest consists not in the oft revying Of worldly dross;

Earth's miry purchase is not worth the buying; Her gain is loss;

Her rest but giddy toil, if not relying Upon the cross.

Her worldlings droil for trouble! That fond heart, Which is possest

Of earth without a cross, hath earth without a rest! —QUARLES.