any right to assume consequence to themselves on account of their acquaintance with religion*: but they are exalted in their state and condition, their dispositions and habits, their hopes
and prospects.
The poor are for the most part regarded in so low and mean a light, that a rich man would be ashamed to acknowledge them as related to him : yea, they themselves feel a very humi- liating disparity between themselves and their opulent neigh- bours. But, when once they embrace the Gospel, and are made " rich in faith," " God himself is not ashamed to be called their God :" he calls them " his friends," " his sons," " his peculiar treasure :" " he gives them a name better than of sons and of daughters." They instantly become " kings and priests unto God ;" and the very angels in heaven account it an honour to wait upon them, as their ministering servants. In short, being born from above, they are sons of God, and " if sons, then heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ." What an elevation is this! Surely, in comparison of it, all earthly dignities are no better than the baubles of children, or the conceits of maniacs.
When elevated thus, the poor begin to feel also dispositions suited to their state. While they are destitute of religion, they either riot in a licentious independence, without any regard to character, or, with a servility unrestrained by conscience, yield themselves willing instruments to any one that can reward their services. But when once they are taught of God, they learn primarily and solely to regard his will. We again say, that they will obey all the lawful commands of their superiors1'; they trill regard their authority as God's, and do whatever is required of them, " as unto the Lord :" but their first inquiry will be, " What does my God require ? " and, if urged to violate their duty to him, they will reply as the Apostles did, " Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye:" " we ought to obey God rather than men0." Nor have they a lower standard of action than the most polished Christian upon earth : if they are truly upright before God, the rule by which they walk is that pre- scribed by the Apostle'1; and what can the highest refinement suggest more ? Here therefore their elevation again appears, inasmuch as their habits are no longer formed by interest or the caprice of men, but founded on, and assimilated to, the mind and will of God.
As to the hopes of the poor, they have little to stimulate
a Ignorant persons are sometimes faulty in this respect ; but St. Paul strongly cautions all, and especially servants, upon this head. 1 Tim. vi. 1, 2.
b Rom. xiii. 1, 2, 4. c Acts v. 2<J. d 1 Cor. vh. 21—23.