who had " fared sumptuously every day" on earth, has not so much as a drop of water to cool his tongue ! Nothing now remains to him of all his former sorrows, except indeed their sanctifying influence upon his soul. Now he has the good things which he sought on earth, the things in which alone he found delight. The enjoyment of the Divine presence was then his only consolation ; and now it is his abiding, his ever-blessed portion.
Now let us contrast the two ; and we shall confess that Lazarus with all his penury was, on the whole, an object of envy ; while the Rich Man with all his indulgences was, on the whole, an object of the deepest commiseration.]
Let us learn from hence,
1. How vain are riches without grace !
[What could the Rich Man's wealth procure him in this life? Nothing but food and raiment: nor were his delicacies more sweet to him, than to the cottager his homely meal. His riches could not ward off for a moment the stroke of death : much less could they " profit him in the day of wrath." They served only to witness against him, and to " prey upon his flesh like fire e." Let not any then envy the great and gay ; but rather seek to be rich in grace, and happy in the enjoy- ment of their God.]
2. What consolation will religion afford under the severest trials !
[Though Lazarus appeared so destitute, he doubtless had his comforts as well as his sorrows. He would console himself with such reflections as these: ' I have no earthly treasures; but I have treasures laid up for me in heaven : I am diseased in body ; but my soul flourishes in health and vigour : I am scantily supported with refuse crumbs ; but I have meat to eat which the world knows not of: I am without a mortal friend to minister unto me ; but God is my friend, and angels are my ministering servants : I have nothing that I can call my own in this life ; but I have all the glory of heaven in the life to come.' Yes, thousands of such considerations would raise his drooping spirits, and often render him happier than all the grati- fications of sense could possibly have made him. And all who possess real religion in their hearts shall find it as conducive to their happiness in this life, as it is to their eternal felicity.]
3. How earnestly we should improve our time in preparation for eternity !
[Whether we be in prosperity or in affliction, we are hastening to the brave : the whole of this life is but as a dream :
Jam. v. 1 —
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