in an hour. Every thing we possess is perishing; and we ourselves also are fading away in the midst of our enjoyments^. Ungodly men do not like to reflect on these things; but the true Christian delights to realize them in his soul : and he well deserves our warmest congratulations, who has learned to esti • mate earthly things by the standard of truth.
It is also a mercy to the opulent servants of God, that they are made to know wherein true honour and happiness consist. That which may be possessed by the vilest, as well as by the best of men, can never constitute the chief good of man. But to be restored to the favour of God, to live in the enjoyment of his presence, to possess his image on our souls, to glorify him in the world, and to be growing up into a meetness for his everlasting inheritance, this is honour, this is happiness : and 0 ! what a mercy is it to see and feel this ! Happy art thou, whoever thou art, that hast lost thy relish for earthly vanities, and art brought to set thine affections upon things above !
Finally, it is a mercy past all conception to have for their portion an inheritance that shall never fade. Were they instantly, and of necessity, to be deprived of all they possess, we should still bid them to "rejoice that they were made low :" for earthly riches, however great, are only dung and dross in comparison of the Christian's portion. Let those who in this life " took joyfully the spoiling of their goods," say, whether they found any reason to alter their minds, when once they reached the mansions of bliss ? How small do their sacrifices now appear, how unworthy of a single thought ! Blessed then indeed are ye who are enabled to " forsake all and follow Christ:" even "in this world" he promises you "an hundred- fold ;" but what ye shall possess in the world to come " no eye hath seen, or ear heard, or heart conceived."]
Address —
[But what shall we say, either to the poor or rich, who are destitute of an interest in Christ? Shall we bid them rejoice? What cause of joy have the poor, who, after all their trials and privations here, shall have no part or lot with the saints above ? or what ground of glorying have the rich, who will so soon be "lifting up their eyes in torments, seeking in vain a drop of water to cool their tongues?" Should we attempt to console any from a consideration of their present attainments or pos- -ions, the prophet would rebuke our folly, and dash the cup out of their handsh. Be it known then to you all, that the
This is particularly noticed in the text, and amplified in the verse that follows it.
'■ Jer. ix. 23, -1\.
2356.1 god's testimony of his tempted people. lZ3
poor must be exalted here, if ever they would be exalted in a better world ; and the rich must be humbled here, if ever they would attain the true riches. The poor must be made par- takers of a divine nature, before they can " inherit a throne of glory 5" and the rich must be emptied of self, before they can be " filled with all the fulness of God."]