[They think that wealth must of necessity conduce much to our happiness : they think that a freedom from care and trouble will greatly augment it : they think that an easy access to pleasurable amusements and carnal enjoyments will abun- dantly promote it ; and, above all, that universal respect and honour will complete it.]
These views, however, are very erroneous — [We deny not but that these sources of enjoyment afford a present gratification : nor do we say that wealth, or ease, or pleasure, or reputation, may not be very innocently enjoined : but it is a great mistake to think that happiness consists in these things ; or that, if possessed in ever so great abundance, they would compensate for the want of spiritual blessings. There are riches of far greater value than the wealth of this world ; nor can any one possess those, who is very solicitous about thish. None can know his need of divine grace, and not pant after itc: in such indigent creatures, a Laodicean state is abominable d. Moreover, God calls men to mourn and weep for their sinse: is it desirable then to possess a light and vacant mind? Such too is the enmity of the world against God, that it is not possible to retain the friendship of both at the same timef. Should we then consider human estimation as of transcendent value? Surely these things may shew us how erroneous the world's judgment is.]
Nor is there any delusion more fatal —
[Our Lord could not be mistaken in his judgment; yet he denounces the heaviest woes against the rich, the full, the gay, and the respected, and distinctly assigns his reason for each denunciation. They who are occupied with carnal grati- fications, make no provision for their eternal welfare. Hence, when bereft of the things of this life, they will be for ever destitute. Having had their portion now with the men of this world, they will participate in their lot hereafter. We may see these truths realized in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus g.]
Having exposed error, we would establish truth, by shewing,
t> Matt. xiii. 44. c Ps. xlii. 1. d Rev. iii. 16, 17.
e James iv. 9, 10. f James iv. 4.
g No flagrant evil whatever is imputed to the Rich Man. He was not wholly destitute even of liberality, since Lazarus received his daily subsistence from his table. The reason of his condemnation was, that, while he abounded in wealth, ease, pleasure, and honour, he wept not for his sins, nor hungered after the blessings of grace and glory.