their ambition. To provide for their present wants, and to lay up something for a time of sickness, is the utmost that the generality of them aspire to. But what glorious views does religion open to them ! Truly, instead of looking up with admiration to the great and opulent, they rather stand on an eminence, from whence they can look down upon them with pity and compassion. What are the prospects of princes, to those which are unfolded to their view? They can look within the vail of heaven itself, and there see crowns and kingdoms reserved for them, yea, a seat upon the throne even of God himself. Who that contemplates this will not say that reli- gion " exalts" the poor?]
2. Upon the rich — [These religion humbles. It does not indeed despoil them of that honour which is due to their rank ; (it rather confirms it to theme;) but it humbles them in their own estimation, and in the estimation of others, and in the daily habit of their minds.
The rich are apt to arrogate much to themselves on account of their distinctions ; and even before God to entertain high thoughts of themselves : " Our lips are our own : who is lord over us?" But let grace reach their hearts, and they no longer say, " I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing ;" but, " I am wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." And so far are they from despising the poor on account of the inferiority of their station, that they most gladly " condescend to men of low estate," and love them truly as brethren, notwithstanding they are " brethren only of low degree."
It is scarcely needful to say how much they are lowered also in the eyes of others. Only let them become true disciples of Christ, and it will soon appear that they have lost the esteem of an ungodly world. However wise or amiable they may be, the serpent's seed will hiss at them. Though David was a king, and as eminent for piety as man could be, he was the sport of fools, and " drunkards made songs upon him." If any qualities could have insured universal respect, the Lord Jesus Christ would have obtained it. But " he was despised and rejected of men :" and " if they called the Master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they those of his house- hold."
But though the contempt of men was once the most formi- dable of all evils, they are not much concerned at it now ; for they are made " poor in spirit," and consequently regardless of the indignities that are offered to them. They know what they deserve at God's hands ; and therefore they are willing
e Rom. xiii. 7.