[What is there truly valuable in the things of this world ? They have no intrinsic worth : they are only good as being high in the estimation of men : an angel would disregard them all, as much as we should the dirt under our feet. Crowns, kingdoms, empires, what are they all, but the baubles of children, which a man in his senses would despise? Beyond food and raiment there is nothing worth a thought : and they derive their value, not from any thing in themselves, but from the necessities of our nature, which render them important in our eyes. But is there nothing real in the favour of God, the grace of Christ, the witness of the Spirit, and the glory of heaven ? Yes, verily : these elevate our nature, and ennoble it, and raise it to its primitive perfection and blessedness. These things the highest angel in heaven cannot but approve ; yea, he must account them as objects on which it is impossible to bestow too great, or too undivided, an attention.]
2. They are more satisfactory to our minds — [They who possess the most of this world are the very
persons who most feel the emptiness and vanity of it all. Go to those who have attained all that their hearts could desire, and ask them whether they have not grasped a shadow? A name, a title, a ribbon of distinction, what contemptible things, in comparison of those which belong to the soul ! Who that possesses them does not feel an aching void in his bosom, unless with them he possesses also the favour of God ? " In the midst of his sufficiency, he is in straits." But the bless- ings of which we have before spoken, are solid ; and the per- son who enjoys them, possesses rest in his soul. " Having drunk of the living waters, he thirsts no more " for any thing besides.]
3. They are more conducive to our happiness —
[Are the rich and great happier than other people ? Not a wit. A Lazarus, with God's love shed abroad in his heart, is happier than the Rich Man amongst all his banquets. Search the Scriptures, and see whether those who have revelled most in their wealth, and drunk most deeply of the cup of pleasure, have not pronounced it all, not merely vanity, but vexation of spirit also? But look at the possessors of spiritual good : take them in their lowest state ; view them poor, and weeping, and mourning, and hungering and thirsting after degrees of holiness unattained : what says the Scripture respecting them? What? Our Saviour himself declares them " blessed," " blessed," " blessed," " blessed." If, like Paul and Silas, they are reduced to the most pitiable condition that can be conceived, they have ample ground for the most exalted joy : and even in martyrdom itself they have no cause for any thing but self-congratulation, thanksgiving, and praise.]