213

SERMON IX.

MATT. xxiv. 40, 41.-" Then shall two be in the field, one shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill, one shall be taken, and the other left."

THERE are some reflections on the world to come, as a society, which arise from the view which we took last Sunday of this awful text, which press of time prevented me from then expanding and dwelling on; and to them, by God's blessing, I will call your attention to-day.

1. It is perfectly evident that a very large proportion of this world's arrangements, and the laws by which they are

maintained, are only for a time, and have no value in themselves. For instance, those distinctions of rich and poor, which strike immediately an observer of the present state of things,-distinctions which are essential to the existence, and to the maintenance of human society! They are, in fact, God's own order of things here below, wise and good for its own purposes. But still, could we suppose them eternal, they would be irreconcilable with his attributes of love, holiness, and justice! For power, and rank, and riches, all things the world admires and loves most, and, with the most eager passion strives after, have manifestly, in themselves, no connexion in general, with the merit or virtues of their possessors. Nor, apart from goodness, have they, with all their outward glitter and the lip and knee worship they bring with them, any real value or inward substance. They are many of them the things which make the world a confusion. They are misplaced, misgiven !

Nor, as far as the outward eye can judge, are the pains and sorrows of body and mind either, in any way distributed, according to the worth or virtue of those who are called to bear them. Nay, not unfrequently, grief and aches of heart and flesh are heaped, like mountains, crushingly and overwhelmingly, but for God's supporting and sanctifying Spirit, upon the holiest and the best! Both the one and the other apparent contradiction to God's goodness, seems to have struck mournfully, in his times of depression, the mind of the holy psalmist! And whether we look at the riches and grandeur so profusely heaped on some, and the hunger and nakedness which are the destiny of others; the crying and tears which fill some eyes, and the laughter and joy which sparkle from others, one knows not why or wherefore; the natural feelings of the heart cannot be better described than in his words! 66 I was grieved at the wicked," he says; "I do also see the ungodly in such prosperity.

For they are in no peril of death; but are lusty and strong. They come in no misfortune like other folk, neither are they plagued like other men! Lo! these are the ungodly, these prosper in the world, and these have riches in possession; and I said, Then have I cleansed my heart in vain, and washed mine hands in innocency. Then thought I to understand this; but it was too hard for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God!"

And we may say the same. For neither do we comprehend it, till we too have come with prayer and praise into his SANCTUARY, and have heard his holy word, and divine teaching there! From thence we know of a surety that this world is a place of TRIAL, and this life a mere journey and pilgrimage to another and heavenly land. Here then is a comfort at once! is wearisome, and the sun is hot, and the howling wilderness is long, but Canaan is at the end of it. We can bear it for a while!

The way

Again. God seeth not as man seeth, but looketh at the heart, and though He is to all a Creator and Preserver, yet He is a tender loving Father only to those who live to Him in Christ Jesus. With them, and in them He dwelleth! He giveth to them of the light of his countenance, and feedeth them with angels' food, even manna from heaven. Christ is their living bread! Here, then, is another comfort. We may well do without gold and silver, and the grandeurs and luxuries of this life, whilst we are heirs of glory, and do already in our pilgrimage share in the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Nay more than this.

Power and wealth and high station are great and awful trials. It is very hard for them that have riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is not impossible, thank God! for to the changing and hallowing Spirit, all things are possible,—but it is exceedingly difficult. The gospel is the consolation and the treasure of the poor. It is in all ages true,

VOL. II.

L