1. To be on our guard against acquiescing too easily in popular opinions —
[From the positions which we have just considered, the carnal mind revolts. Yet, not only are these positions con- firmed by our blessed Lord, but they are expressed by him in far stronger terms than by Solomon himself. " Blessed are ye poor : blessed are ye that hunger now : blessed are ye that weep now : blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. But woe unto you that are rich : woe unto you that are full : woe unto you that laugh now : woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you ^." It is obvious that light and dark- ness are scarcely more opposite than these declarations are to the sentiments and habits of the world at large. But are we therefore to question the truth of them, or to refuse submission to them ? No : we are to regard the Scriptures as the only authorized standard of opinion ; and to them must our senti- ments be conformed. Even if the whole world combine to reprobate wliat the Scriptures enjoin, we must not be deterred from following what God prescribes ; but must boldly say, " Let God be true, but every man a liar\"]
2. To take eternity into our estimate of present things —
[In the passage just cited from the Sermon on the Mount, we see that every declaration of our blessed Lord is founded on the aspect which our present state has upon the eternal world. And I would ask, What would the Rich Man and La- zarus now think of the condition in which they were severally placed when in this lower world ? Would carnal mirth be com- mended by the one, or temporal distress be deprecated by the other, in such terms as the spectators of their widely different condition were once wont to use respecting them ? Methinks the enjoyments and sufferings of time would be deemed by them scarcely worthy of a thought ; and eternity would swallow up every other consideration. And so it will be with lis, ere long. Indeed, even at this present moment, every man's con- science bears witness to this truth, however in the habits of his life he may contradict it. I cannot therefore but entreat all to consider what will be their views of present things, when they shall have left this transient scene ; and to regulate their judgment now by what they believe to be the uniform tenour of God's word, and the full conviction of every creature, whether in heaven or in hell.]
(? Luke vi. 20 — 26. h Rom. iii. 4.