3. Unless we love the word above riches, we cannot possess riches without a snare ; then it will be not only hard, but impossible, to enter into the kingdom of heaven : Mark x. 23-27, ' And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples. How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God ! And the dis- ciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God ! It is easier for a camel to
^ Qu. "greater"? — Ed.
318 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. CXXXIX.
go througli the eye of a needle, than for a ricli man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then c<m be saved ? And Jesus looking about him, said, With men it is impossible, but not with God ; for with God all things are possible.' Eiches will so prevail over us, and wholly sway ns, if they be our chief good and portion, and we have not a higher end to check our love to them. If a man would have all things cleave 1 to him, he must be sure the world doth not sit nearest his heart ; for if they do, such a man, as he is unfit for heaven, so he is unfit for the world too. If they be your good things, Luke xvi. 25, ' Son, re- member thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things ; ' you will get and keep and use them otherwise than the word doth allow.
4. Erom the fruit of grace ; where it is planted in the heart and pre- vaileth, the desire of wealth is mortified, worldly lust denied : Titus ii. 12, ' Teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts ; ' and desires of grace enlarged and increased : 1 Peter ii. 2, ' As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.' And when it prevaileth further, and to a higher degree, they come to Moses' frame, to count the worst of Christ better than the best of the world : Heb. xi. 26, ' Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.' Not only the graces of Christ, or the benefits of Christ, but the reproaches of Christ. So much is the world lessened, and the desires of grace increased. The heaviest part of Christ's cross is sweeter than the worldly plenty, where sin accompanieth it.
Use 1. To press us to get this esteem and love of the word above all earthly things : by what names soever they are called, whether gold or fine gold. Consider —
1. The word of God containeth the true riches, in comparison of which all other things are but a shadow.
2. Except God's word be clearly esteemed above earthly things, it is highly contemned. You would think yourselves highly slighted if once it should be put to the question whether you or an ass or a swine be better. The case is as clear whether it be better to have a child's toy or land of inheritance. You think it a disparagement of their reason. It is so to compare spiritual things with carnal : Prov. xvi. 16, ' How much better is it to get wisdom than gold, and to get under- standing rather to be chosen than silver ! '
3. The word of God observed and obeyed bringeth all earthly things along with it ; gold and fine gold, so far as they are necessary and good for us : Mat. vi. 63, ' But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you ; ' and 1 Tim. iv. 8, ' Godliness is profitable unto all things ; having a pro- mise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.' It hath all kind of promises, it doth not come empty-handed ; it bringeth in a portion in tliis life, and blessing in these outward things.
4. How constant the word is, and in one tenor : 2 Cor. i. 20, ' All the promises of God in him are Yea, and in him Amen ; unto the glory of God by us.' But worldly things are uncertain : 2 Sam. xix. 43, * And the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye.' Compare this with the next words, 2 Sam. xx. 1, ' Sheba blew a
1 Qu. " cleau '' ?— Ed.
VeR. 127.] , SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 319
trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheri- tance in the son of Jesse.' The people cry Hosanna to Christ, and presently after, Crucify him. Peter once made a glorious confession of Christ, and afterwards a gross denial. Paul was received as an angel by the Galatians : Gal. iv. 14, ' My temptation which was in my flesh, ye despised not, nor rejected ; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus ; ' but afterwards accounted an enemy ; ver. 16, ' Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth ? ' Nebuchadnezzar flourishing in a palace of gold, Dan. iv. 30, ' Is not this great Babylon that I have built, for the house of my kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the glory of my majesty ? ' But a voice came to him from heaven, ver. 31, ' 0 king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken, The kingdom is departed from thee.'