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ever should attain unto it! What a mercy must it be to you to be undeceived on a matter of such unspeakable importance. Perhaps you expect to find substantial bliss in the pleasures of the world; the gratification of your appetites and fleshly lusts, by living in softness, delicacy and effeminacy! But mark what Solomon says of this from his own experience: "All things are full of labour: man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing," Eccl. i. 8. "Whatsoever mine eyes desired, I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy—out, behold all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun," ch. ii. 10, 11. It is absolutely impossible for any to be happy while under the dominion of tormenting, pernicious, contradictory, unsatisfied and insatiable passions. Perhaps you are seeking this blessing in the pursuit of riches and honour; but can these give ease to the soul, or is it possible to satisfy the inordinate cravings of covetousness and ambition? Listen again to the experience of Solomon: "I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces” —so that his possessions exceeded all that were in Jerusalem before
