obstinately dung to, is enough to shut a soul out of heaven. The love of money, secretly nourished in the heart, is enough to bring a man, in other respects moral and irreproachable, down to the pit of hell.
We learn, thirdly, from these verses, hoio great » the difficuUf/ of a rich man being saved. Our Lord declares this in the solemn comment which He makes on the ruler's case : " How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God ! It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
The truth which our Lord lays down in this place, is one which we may see confirmed on every side. Oih: own eyes will tell us that grace and riches seldom go- together. ''Not many- mighty, not many noble, are called." (1 Cor. i. 26.) It is plain matter of fact, that comparatively few rich men are to be found in the way of life. For one thing, riches incline their possessors to pride, self-will, self-indulgence, and love of the world. For another thing, the rich man is seldom dealt with faithfully about his soul. He is generally flattered and fiEiwned upon. " The rich hath many friends." (Prov. xiv. 20.) Few persons have the courage to tell him the whole truth. His good points are grossly exaggerated. Hia bad points are glossed over, palliated, and excused. The result is, that while his heart is choked up with the things of the world, his eyes are blinded to his own, real condition. What right have we to wonder if a rich man'& salvation is a hard thisg P
Let us beware of envying rich men and coveting their pofleessions. We little know what we might come to if