designs to magnify the riches of his own grace. If God bestowed his favours principally on the rich, we should be ready to think, that they had some peculiar claim upon him, and that his attention to them was no more than their due : or perhaps we should rather conclude, that their superior talents enabled them to unravel the divine mysteries, and to attain heaven by their own unassisted efforts. But when we see the Gospel " hid from the wise and prudent, and revealed to babes'," we are constrained to acknowledge the marvellous condescension, and uncontrollable sovereignty, of our God.]
Address —
1. Those who despise the portion that God has chosen —
[It is to be lamented that many even among the poor themselves are regardless of the " true riches". " But what madness is it to reject that which would assuage all their present sorrows; and to render themselves infinitely more destitute in the next world than they are in this ! O that they would accept the portion that God offers them !
The rich too almost universally despise the Gospel. But how painful will their reflections be in that day when the parable of Dives and Lazarus shall be realized in them ! O consider, ye are not excluded ; God is willing to bestow the same inestimable blessings upon you. Seek then to be rich in faith, and heaven itself shall be your everlasting inheritance.]
2. Those who desire to possess that portion —
[Blessed be God, there are some among the poor that know and enjoy their privileges. But whence is it that they discern what is hid from others? Had they any thing in themselves more than others ; " any thing which they have not received?" Nox: they would never have chosen God, if God had not first " chosen" themy. Let them then adore that grace which has been thus magnified towards them.
Do any of the rich inquire, What shall we do to get a share in this inheritance ? Shall we cast away all our riches, and reduce ourselves to poverty ? No ; there is an infinitely better and safer way; " Love God." You may give away all your goods, and be nothing profited2: but if you "love God, the kingdom is absolutely promised to you." The poor cannot be saved unless they be rich in faith : and you, if you exercise faith and love towards our adorable Saviour, shall also be saved with an everlasting salvation.]
1 Matt. xi. 25. u 2 Cor. vi. 10.
x 1 Cor. iv. 7. y John xv. 16.
z 1 Cor. xiii. 3. Thrice is this expressly repeated in that fore-cited passage, 1 Cor. i. 20 — 28.
2364.] THE LAW 0F liberty. 59