generation wiser than the children of light." For one Mary that sits habitually at the Saviour's feet, there are many Marthas, who, in spite of their professed love for Christ, are careful and cumbered about many things.
But, if this be the case with the most spiritual amongst us ; what shall I say to those who have never yet set themselves in earnest to obtain eternal life ? The consciences of many must surely testify against them, that, instead of labouring with all their might for spiritual and eternal blessings, they have never spent so much as one hour in prayer for the sal- vation of their souls. They are content to leave their eternal interests to chance, if I may so speak ; though, if God be true, they leave them to certain ruin. The Lord Jesus Christ, as we have seen, will give to them that labour : but where is it said, that he will give to them that labour not ? No such promise can be found in all the book of God. No, indeed : all is suspended on the use of means : " Ask, and ye shall have : seek, and ye shall find : knock, and it shall be opened unto you." He who improves his talents, whether they be more or less, shall be rewarded : but " the unprofitable servant, that hides his talent in a napkin, shall assuredly be cast into outer darkness." Consider this, my dearly beloved, and begin with- out delay the work that is assigned you ; for " the day is fast passing away ; and the night is quickly coming, when no man can work."]
2. For congratulation to the poor —
[It must be confessed, that, in relation to temporal con- cerns, your portion is far inferior to that of the more opulent. For you may often be willing to labour, and not be able to find employment : and when you do labour ever so hard, you may be scarcely able to earn sufficient to supply your neces- sities. But, in relation to spiritual and everlasting happiness, the balance is altogether as much in your favour. The richer part of the community are so engrossed with the cares or pleasures of this life, that they can scarcely find a moment to devote to the concerns of eternity. The very dispositions which are generated by carnal ease, render it " more difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven, than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle." Hence you read, that "not many mighty, not many noble, are called1." But what do you read concerning the poor? Hear, and be astonished ! hear, and bless your God ! " Hath not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom s?" Yes, he has: and experience proves it: and the appeal which God himself makes to us respecting it is
r 1 Cur. i. 26. s Jam. ii. 5.