of their distinctions ; and even before God to entertain high thoughts of themselves : " Our lips are our own : who is lord over us P" But let grace reach their hearts, and they no longer say, " I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing ;" but, " I am wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." And so far are they from despising the poor on account of the inferiority of their station, that they most gladly " condescend to men of low estate," and love them truly as brethren, notwithstanding they are " brethren only of low degree."
It is scarcely needful to say how much they are lowered also in the eyes of others. Only let them become true disciples of Christ, and it will soon appear that they have lost the esteem of an ungodly world. However wise or amiable they may be, the serpent's seed will hiss at them. Though David was a king, and as eminent for piety as man could be, he was the sport of fools, and " drunkards made songs upon him." If any qualities could have insured universal respect, the Lord Jesus Christ would have obtained it. But " he was despised and rejected of men :" and " if they called the Master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they those of his household."
But though the contempt of men was once the most formida- ble of all evils, they are not much concerned at it now ; for they are made " poor in spirit," and consequently regardless of the indignities that are offered to them. They know what they deserve at God's hands ; and therefore they are willing to bear any thing from those whom He may use as instruments of his indignation or love. They are willing also that God should deal with them in any way he may see fit; and whether he give or take away, they are ready to bless his holy name. They are brought to a state of mind resembling that of a man subsisting upon alms : " they come to their God and Saviour for gold, that they may be enriched ; for eye-salve, that they may see ; and for raiment, that the shame of their nakedness may not appear." They are contented, yea they are glad, to seek their daily bread at his hands, and to live altogether as pensioners on his grace and mercy. In short, as in their own estimation they are vile and g^nlty, so in the habit of their minds they are jneek, patient, submissive, and dependent.
Thus, while the poor are elevated by religion, the rich " are reduced and made low."]
And what shall we say of these diversified effects? Are they represented as adverse to our happiness ? No : we are rather led to contemplate,
II. The universal satisfaction which they are calcu- lated to produce — -
That