ment of it. The glorified saints all cast their crowns before the feet of Jesus, and prostrate themselves in deep humility, ascribing all their salvation to him. How could we unite with them when we have never deigned to glorify him thus on earth? As for our worldly desires, what should we find to gratify them there? Heaven could be no heaven to us, if our affections were not set on the things that are there, and our employments suited to the exercises of that blessed state.]
2. In proportion as we experience such conversion will be our exaltation here and hereafter —
[Our Lord now plainly answers the question put to him. Let any one point out to us the person that most eminently resembles a little child, and we will immediately point out to him the greatest person in the world. It is not worldly gran- deur that constitutes a person great, but moral excellence. " The righteous is more excellent tiian his neighbour," what- ever other advantages his neighbour may possess. Even the ungodly cannot but admire those most, who are most truly humble. At the very time that they revile and persecute them, they reverence them in their hearts, and have a secret wish that they themselves were like them. And the godly invariably admire those most who are the greatest proficients in this grace. The exaltation of such persons hereafter will certainly also be proportionably great. Perhaps there is not one in heaven nearer the throne of God than he, who, when on earth, called himself " less than the least of all saints*''." Indeed God has repeatedly assured us that " he who humbleth himself shall be exalted."]
We may improve this subject,
1. For conviction —
[How few are there who truly resemble a little child! By the generality such a disposition would be considered as mean, abject, enthusiastic. But let it be remembered that it is abso- lutely necessary for the salvation of our souls. If a conversion from one particular sin was necessary in order to the salvation of the Apostles, notwithstanding all they had experienced, how much more must conversion be necessary for us, whose sins are so multiplied, and whose attainments are so small ! Let us receive this declaration then as from the lips of him who shall judge the world. Let us apply to ourselves that solemn word, Ye must be born again \ And let us instantly seek that change which is so difficult in its attainment, and so important in its consequences.]
2. For instruction in righteousness —
s Eph. iii. 8. ^ John iii. 3, 5, 7.
1381.1 THF SECURITY OF GOd's CHILDREN. 475
[Have we been renewed in the spirit of our minds ? Let us seek to be renewed more and more. The Apostles had for- saken all for Christ, and yet relapsed into the sin of worldliness and ambition. We never can become so childlike but that there may be room for farther advancement. Let the presence then of a little child be always a source of instruction to us. Let parents in particular, and all who have the care of children, learn from them ; yea, let them never look upon a child without learning from him what they are to be in the hands of God. Let every one of us observe his simplicity of mind, and unity of desire ; and let us regard him as a pattern for imitation. This was the very mind of Christ himself, who, being in the form of God, humbled himself, and took upon him the form of a servant. Let the same mind therefore be in us that was in him". " Seekest thou great things unto thyself? seek them not^ :" " Mind not high things, but condescend to low things'." " Whosoever would become the greatest of all, let him make himself the least of all, and the servant of all."]
' Phil, ii, 5, 6. ^ Jer. xlv. 5. ^ Rom. xii. 16. in the Greek.