faint conception of what is spiritual, pour contempt on others as altogether carnal. To all such conceited professors I would say, " Be not high-minded, but fear :" " let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall."]
2. Lulls into security those whom it should quicken —
[The effect of affluence, especially of that which has been acquired by labour, is, to diminish the industry that has obtained it, and to reduce its possessor to the state of the rich fool in the Gospel : " Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; eat, drink, and be merry h." Indeed, ease is looked upon as the reward of industry ; and the prospect of it is man's greatest incentive to diligence. But success, in- stead of weakening, should rather operate to augment our efforts for further success : not from a covetous desire of advancement, but from a desire to enlarge our means of doing good. Wealth, with all its attendant influence, should be regarded as a talent, not to be hidden in a napkin, but to be improved for God.
And what should be the effect of increased views of divine truth, and of augmented confidence in God ? Should not these things quicken us, and every communication of grace to our souls, stimulate us to activity in the service of the Lord ? I say, then, let none of you, because of your prosperity, be " settled on your lees ;" but let every blessing, whether tem- poral or spiritual, be employed as a motive for exertion, and as a means of honouring your heavenly Benefactor.]
Let me now address,
1. Those who have risen in the world —
[The example of David is that which you should follow. He, when assured by God that his kingdom should be esta- blished in his house to his latest posterity, " went in, and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto1?" Thus let your success operate on you. See the hand of God in it all ; and acknowledge your own unworthiness ; and adore that grace that has made you to differ from so many whose prospects were once equal to your own. And never forget, that prosperity is a snare which ruins thousands k; and that, if it makes your situation easier in this world, it obstructs your progress, even like clods of " clay upon your feet," to the world above *.]
2. Those who, by reason of adverse circumstances, have been reduced —
h Luke xii. 16—21. ! 2 Sam. vii. 18. * Prov. i. 22.
1 Compare Hab. ii. 6. with Heb. xii. 1 . and Matt. xix. 23, 21.