of the Psalmist's, " If riches increase, set not your heart upon them."]
But in proportion as they engage our hearts, they obstruct our way to heaven —
[We are commanded " not to set our affections on things below, but on things above." This prohibition extends to riches, and to every thing else that fascinates the carnal mind. The reason of it is moreover assigned by God himself, namely, that the love of this world neither proceeds from him, nor leads to him, but is absolutely incompatible with real love to hima. Let it only then be acknowledged, that the love of God is necessary to the attainment or enjoyment of heaven ; and then it will follow, that the person, who loves his riches, cannot attain heaven; nor could he enjoy it, even if he were admitted there: he has in his bosom an object that rivals God: and God is a jealous God, who will never accept a divided heart. " We never can serve God and Mammon." If " our treasure be on earth, our heart will be there also :" and if it be looked to as the source of our happiness, " Woe unto us ; for we have received our consolation."]
II. It is difficult for a person to have riches, and not
be puffed up by them —
Pride is too generally an attendant on riches —
[As great respect is paid to riches, the people who possess them are apt to think that they deserve it. They arrogate it to themselves; they are offended, if any persons refuse to gratify them with the homage which they claim. They shew in their look, their dress, their manner of speaking, yea, in their very gait, they " think themselves to be somebody." They expect their wishes to be consulted, and their judgment to be followed. They are impatient of contradiction. They do not like, either in public or in private, to be told of their faults. If a minister deal faithfully with their consciences, they rather condemn him for (what they will call) his rudeness or harshness, than themselves for their departure from God. How commonly this disposition springs from riches, we may judge from that direction which is given to ministers ; " Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be not high- minded1'."]
And this also, if indulged, will exclude us from heaven —
[" Pride was not made for man :" " The proud in heart are an abomination to the Lord :" whoever he be, " God will
a 1 John ii. 15, 16. * 1 Tim. vi. 17.