_The works of the Lord are great_, _sought out of all them that have pleasure therein_. ONE of the greatest hindrances to the Christian life, in the true believer, is his perpetual intermixture with the world, his constant occupation with the business of his daily calling, with earthly pleasures and pursuits. The world, in its very nature, in the spirit which it breathes, in the cares which it engenders, in the temptations which it spreads, stands in opposition to the gospel, to the Christian’s walk with God; it unfits his mind for spiritual contemplation; it gives him a disrelish for holy delights; it calls aside his thoughts from God, from heaven, and from heavenly things; and makes him forget his obligation to, and dependence upon, the merciful and over-ruling providence of the Most High. And yet it is undoubtedly our duty to live in the world; to partake, in a certain degree, of its pleasures, as well as of its labours and cares. It is the will and decree of God, that mankind should provide “by the sweat of their brow” for their subsistence and well-being in life: integrity and industry in the exercise of our calling are among the appointed means, by which we must “Work out our salvation.” Since therefore we are obliged to mix with the world, our great object should be, to guard against its engrossing and corrupting influence; to retain all our possessions in a spirit of humble and constant reliance upon the sovereign power and disposal of the Almighty; to be lifting up our hearts, in the course of our daily employment, above all secular concerns, to the author of our being, to the giver of our talents and our time, to the judge of all our actions. And besides, some portion of each day must be distinctly set apart for holy reading, meditation, and prayer. Without such rules and observances, the christian principle cannot possibly be maintained; faith and zeal will grow cold, the communion with God be gradually impaired, the affections estranged, and the obedience destroyed.