to bear any thing from those whom He may use as instruments of his indignation or love. They are willing also that God should deal with them in any way he may see fit; and whether he give or take away, they are ready to bless his holy name. They are brought to a state of mind resembling that of a man subsisting upon alms: " they come to their God and Saviour for gold, that they may be enriched; for eye-salve, that they may see; and for raiment, that the shame of their nakedness may not appear." They are contented, yea they are glad, to seek their daily bread at his hands, and to live altogether as pensioners on his grace and mercy. In short, as in their own estimation they are vile and guilty, so in the habit of their minds they are meek, patient, submissive, and dependent.
Thus, while the poor are elevated by religion, the rich "are reduced and made low."]
And what shall we say of these diversified effects ? Are they represented as adverse to our happiness ? No : we are rather led to contemplate,
II. The universal satisfaction which they are calcu- lated to produce —
That the poor have cause to rejoice in their exalta- tion, is obvious enough —
[Think only what the poorest of the Lord's people are privileged to enjoy —
First, they have the most exalted of all characters. — Though some few of the Lord's people have been opulent, the gene- rality have been " a poor and afflicted people." The Apostles had little else besides a scrip and a staff; they were " poor, though making many rich ; and had nothing, though in some respects they possessed all things." When it pleased God also to send his only dear Son into the world, what was the state to which he appointed him ? It was that of a poor man, who " had not where to lay his head." And has not this dignified the condition of the poor? Yea, have they not reason to glory, in being so assimilated to their Lord and Saviour? The tribe of Levi had no portion allotted to them in Israel : but were they therefore less honourable than the rest? No: the Lord was their portion : and their want of earthly posses- sions was a favour conferred, and not a privilege denied. Thus it is an honour to the poor that they have their all in God : and though flesh and blood cannot receive the saying, it is really a greater honour to be fed like Elijah from day to day by the special providence of God, than to be living upon stores collected by the hands of men.
Next, they are in the most favourable of all states. — Our adorable Saviour has determined this point beyond a doubt.