other blessings in the measure that is good for us : for God promises, that, if we " seek spiritual blessings first, all other things shall be added unto us^." We are far from saying, that other things are not to be sought at all ; we only say, that they must be regarded as altogether subordinate to spiritual bless- ings, and be valued only as they may be subservient to the advancing of God's honour and the good of mankind. In this view, riches, honour, and power may be desired ; but in com- parison of true wisdom, they must be regarded only as the small dust upon the balance.]
Address,
1. Those who are ambitious of earthly honours —
[Think but how speedily they will vanish, and you will raise your ambition to that which shall endure for ever^ — ]
2. Those who desire the approbation of their God—
[God makes the same offer to you that he did to Solomon "". Let your choice then be the same as his : and seek it with all the ardour and earnestness it deserves" ]
^ Matt. vi. 33. i Ps. xc. 12.
m John xiv. 13, 14. and xvi. 23, 24. " Prov. iv. 5 — 7.
1 Kings vi. 7. And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither : so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building.
NEVER was there upon the face of the globe a building, that in point of elegance or grandeur could be compared with the temple of Solomon. It had been the desire of David to erect it ; but he was forbidden of God to do so, because he had been engaged in many wars, and had shed much blood. God however approved of his desire, and told him, that his son should have the honour which was de- nied to him. Nevertheless David began immediately to make preparations for the building ; and Solomon in three years after he came to the throne was ready to begin the work ; which in somewhat more than