with this folly, when the Babylonish ambassadors came to visit him : and the judgments inflicted on him on account of it, sufficiently shew how hateful it is in the sight of God.
Yet, such is the infirmity of human nature, that a man of this description is ready to arrogate also to himself some superior value even before God. He is now no longer to be addressed with all that plainness and fidelity which he admitted when in a lower station. Because " he is full, he is ready to deny the authority of God, and to say, Who is the Lord0?" or, if he pay attention to the outward observances of religion, he does it, not because they are due from him, but because he thinks it right to set a good example to others; just as if the duties incumbent on others did not attach equally to himself. A remarkable instance of such folly and impiety may be seen in King Uzziahd; who, because he had greatly increased in military power, conceived himself authorized to invade the priestly office e. But all such high thoughts of ourselves are most offensive to God : and therefore we solemnly caution all of you against admitting them into your minds; and "charge the rich in particular, that they be not high-minded."
2. Creature-confidence —
[It is exceeding difficult to possess riches, and not to trust in them for some measure of security or happiness ; for both of which we ought to trust in God alone. Our Lord intimates this : for, when his Disciples expressed their wonder at that saying of our Lord, " How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" he immediately explained himself, by saying, " How hardly shall they that trust in riches enter into the kingdom of God :" by which he would have them to understand, that very few could possess them without trusting in themf. " The rich man's wealth is his strong city," says Solomon5: he fancies himself encom- passed with that which will protect him from evil, and secure to him the possession of present good. But this is greatly to dishonour God. He has given us all that we possess : he has given it to be enjoyed, yea, and richly to be enjoyed: but he never gave it to be trusted in : he never designed that men should rest in the gifts, and forget the Giver; or fix on sense- less vanities the regards which are due only to " the living God" To them belongs nothing but " uncertainty:" they cannot be depended on for one moment: they may, even whilst we think ourselves most secure of their continuance, " make themselves wings, and fly away." Or, if they be not removed from us, we may in an instant be removed from
c Prov. xxx. 9.
d 2 Kings xx. 12 — 18. and 2 Chron. xxxii. 25, 2G.
e 2 Chron. xxvi. 16. f Mark x. 23, 21. s Prov. x. 15.