Moses, also, who liad attained all the learning of the Egyptians, and was next in power to the king upon the throne, regarded it all as unworthy of a thought, not only for the crown of Christ, but in comparison of his cross; "esteeming the re- proach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt •." Yes, spiritual wisdom " has the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come™ :" and fully merits that high encomium which the wisest of men has bestowed upon it" " Whoso findeth it, findeth life, and shall to all eter- nity obtain favour of the Lord "."]
Let us then learn,
1 . To form a correct estimate of all that is before us —
[Earthly things are not to be despised. Religious persons just emerging from darkness unto light, are apt to pour con- tempt on wealth as if it were good for nothing, and greatly also to undervalue even intellectual attainments. But we should give to every thing its due. Even to money are we indebted for numberless comforts, and to wisdom for much more ; because to men's progress in science we owe those very things which money enables us to procure. Doubtless, in comparison of spiritual attainments, those which have respect only to the things of time and sense are of but little value. We may say of the moon and stars, that they are of small utility to us in comparison of the sun : but this does not ren- der them of no value in themselves. The heavenly bodies possess great beauty and utility, notwithstanding they are eclipsed by the sun : and the true way to judge of their value to us is, to consider how painful the loss of them would be. So, whilst to heavenly things we ascribe, as we ought to do, a paramount importance, let us remember, that, for the purposes of this life at least, those things which are mainly regarded by the unregenerate, are, in their place, deserving also the atten- tion of the godly. We may say of them, as our blessed Lord does of some other things of subordinate importance, " These things ought ye to do, and not to leave the other undone."]
2. To seek every thing according to its real im- portance—
[When it is said, " Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life, we are not to take the expressions absolutely, but only comparatively ; exactly as when it is said, " I will have mercy, and not sacri- fice." T say, then, to those who are engaged in worldly busi- ness. Follow it diligently : and to those who are prosecuting
> Heb. xi. 26. m i Tim. iv. 8.
n Prov. iii. 13 — 18. " Prov. viii. 35.