certainly abase him." Not Hezekiah himself shall escape with- out deep humiliation0; nor even then, without severe chastise- ments'1. If we be " lifted up with pride, (whatever be the occasion,) we shall fall into the condemnation of the devil." The characteristic mark of every true Christian, and of all that shall be admitted into heaven, is humility ; " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Worldly poverty is not more opposite to wealth, than spiritual poverty is to pride. The true Christian will " prefer others in honour before himself," and account himself, " less than the least of all saints." But, inasmuch as wealth has a directly opposite tendency, it is hostile to the interests of Christianity, and to the salvation of all who possess it.]
III. It is difficult for a person to have riches, and not be corrupted by them —
Whatever a corrupt heart can desire, is attainable through riches —
[Wealth opens a way for all manner of sensuality and self-indulgence : and, at the same time that it gives us facilities for gratifying our evil inclinations, it leads us into such habits as greatly dispose us to sin. A luxurious table draws us to intemperance ; intemperance inflames our passions ; and afflu- ence opens an easy way to the indulgence of them. The rich even think that they are, in a measure, licensed to commit iniquity : and, in their eyes, intemperance and lewdness are, at the most, no more than venial follies, which they can commit without shame, and look back upon without remorse.
But where riches do not produce this effect, they still ex- ceedingly corrupt the soul. They habituate us to easy indolent habits, that are very contrary to those self-denying exercises in which the Christian should be employed. They lead us into the company of those whose minds are least spiritual, and from whose conversation and example we can derive least profit. They induce parents to seek connexions for their children rather among the opulent than among the good. They not unfrequently draw persons into great speculations, which fill them with anxiety, and encumber them with oppressive cares. Strange as it may seem, they often prove incentives to avarice, as well as to prodigality, and to an oppression of others, as well as to the gratifying of ourselves. Hence, whenever the term "lucre" is mentioned in the New Testament, the term " filthy" is invariably associated with it]
And the more our corruptions are indulged, the more certain we are of perishing in final ruin —
c 2 Chron. xxxii. 25, 26. (1 Isai. xxxix. 4—7.