banished ! Let none imagine that a superiority of rank or station at all lessens their responsibility to God, or absolves them from the smallest measure of obedience to Christ ]
This is also our truest wisdom and happiness — If we say to any, " Serve the Lord," we say, in effect, *' Be wise:" for " the fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom." Those only who have never tasted of true piety, deride it as folly : and they only do it, because they do not like to confess their own folly in neglecting it : in their serious moments, and when their conscience is permitted to speak, the very despisers of godliness are constrained to say in their hearts, " Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his ! "
Moreover, it is the only true path of happiyiess: for, what happiness can they have who are obnoxious to the wrath of God? " If his wTath be kindled, yea, but a little," can they endure the thought of meeting his displeasure ? " Are they stronger than he," that they can feel themselves at ease, when they " have provoked him to jealousy ?" No : the most care- less of mankind, if he reflect at all, must be sensible, that " it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." We say then, " Blessed are all they that put their trust in him : " they shall be protected by his power ; they shall be preserved by his grace ; they shall be enriched by his bounty ; they shall be blessed by him with all spiritual blessings; and in the last day they shall be seated with him en his throne, and be par- takers of his glory for evermore.]