3. That they are the wisest people who covet the best gifts —
[It is generally accounted folly to " seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness"^ ;" but the time will come when it will appear to have been the truest wisdom. Indeed " the fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom' ;" insomuch
' 1 Tim. vi. 17. e Matt. xix. 23, 24. >> Jam. ii. 5.
' Ps. xvi. 5. "^ Matt. vi. 33. > Ps. cxi. 10.
that all who are not possessed of that, whatever else they may possess, are no better than fools in God's estimation. Let us not then be deceived by the glare and glitter of the world. Let us view things as God himself views them. Let us confess that it is better to be among " the foolish, the weak, the base, the despised, the mere nonentities of this world," and attain eternal happiness at the last; than to be among " the wise, the mighty, and the noble," and to " have our good things in this life only""." ^
We beg leave however to repeat, that the rich will not be excluded from God's kingdom, if they do not exclude them- selves ; nor, on the other hand, will the poor be admitted into it, if they do not " strive to enter in at the strait gate"." Whatever we be in respect of our worldly conditions, we shall be admitted by the Bridegroom, if we be found among the wise virgins": but "the foolish shall not stand in his 2ght; for he hateth all the workers of iniquity?."]
" Luke xvi. 25. " Luke xiii. 24.
0 Matt. XXV. 8 — 10, P Ps. v. 5.