Jer. ix. 23, 24. Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might ; let not the rich man glory in his riches ; but let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he tmderstandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exercise loving-kindness, judg- ment, and righteousness, in the earth.
WE need no other introduction to our subject than that of the propheta —
Bearing in mind therefore the Saviour's repeated admonitions b, we shall
1. Remove the false and insufficient grounds of glo- rying— Wisdom, Power, and Riches, are highly esteemed amongst men —
And, if rightly improved, they certainly are valuable talents
[ Wisdom enables a man to conduct his own affairs with
discretion —
It qualifies him also for instructing his fellow-creatures — It may lead a person to make many valuable discoveries — Thus it may profit individuals and the community at large — Might also is useful for the preserving of order in society — And it may be improved to suppress vice, and encourage
virtue —
Riches too may serve for the rewarding of industry — Or they may be employed in relieving the necessitous — None of these things therefore ought to be depreciated — ]
But they are by no means proper objects of glory-
To glory in any thing, is, to value it highly, pursue it eagerly, and seek our happiness in it — But we must not thus glory in Wisdom —
[The wisest know that they know but little — Their best concerted plans they often want power to accom- plish—
Disease or accident may soon reduce them to a level with the beasts — ]
Nor should we glory thus in Might —
[Power is a source of temptation to those who are invested with it —
It indisposes a man to comply with reasonable restraints —
a Isai. i. 2. b Mark iv. 0, 23.