Surely were not these truths too plain to be _observed_, because they are too plain to be _denied_, no man that is to die could possibly _trust_, for help, _in uncertain riches_! 20. *And trust not in them for happiness. For here also they will be found _deceitful upon the weights_. Indeed this every reasonable man may infer, from what has been observed already. For if neither thousands of gold and silver, nor any of the advantages or pleasures purchased thereby, can prevent our being miserable, it evidently follows, they cannot make us happy. What happiness can they afford to him, who in the midst of all is constrained to cry out, “To my new courts sad thought does still repair, And round my gilded roofs hangs hovering care.” Indeed experience is here so full, strong, and undeniable, that it makes all other arguments needless. Appeal we therefore to fact. Are the rich and great, the only happy men? And is each of them more or less happy, in proportion to his measure of riches? Are they happy at all? I had well nigh said, they are of all men most miserable! Rich man, for once, speak the truth from thy heart. Speak, both for thyself, and for thy brethren, “Amidst our plenty something still―― To me, to thee, to him is wanting! That cruel something unpossest Corrodes and leavens all the rest.” Yea, and so it will, ’till thy wearisome days of vanity are shut up in the night of death. Surely then, to trust in riches for happiness, is the greatest folly of all that are under the sun! Are you not convinced of this? Is it possible, you should still expect to find happiness in money, or all it can procure? What! *Can silver and gold, and eating and drinking, and horses and servants, and glittering apparel, and diversions and pleasures (as they are called) make thee happy? They can as soon make thee immortal. 21. These are all dead shew. Regard them not. _Trust_ thou _in the living_ God. So shalt thou be safe under the shadow of the Almighty; his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler. He is a very present help in time of trouble; such an help as can never fail. Then shalt thou say, if all thy other friends die, _the_ Lord _liveth, and blessed be my strong helper_! He shall remember thee when thou liest sick upon thy bed: when vain is the help of man, when all the things of the earth can give no support, he will _make all thy bed in thy sickness_. He will sweeten thy pain; the consolations of God shall cause thee to clap thy hands in the flames. And even when this house of earth is well nigh shaken down, when it is just ready to drop into the dust, he will teach thee to say, _O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be unto_ God _who giveth me the victory through my_ Lord Jesus Christ.