Reflections on the Apostle's charge to the rich. 621 IMPROVEMENT. 13 X. ( THAT we might often be setting ourselves as in the presence of God, the great and blessed God, whose almighty power quickeneth all things, and is the life of universal nature, and of the Ver. Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead! Let the thoughts of so august a presence awaken our souls to diligence in the discharge of our duty, and let it animate us with courage to witness a good confession, to whatever inconvenience and danger it may expose us. Never let us forget that appearance which he shall manifest, to whom all these sublime titles belong, 15 even that blessed and only Potentate, before whom all the lustre of all the princes upon earth vanishes in a moment, like that of the smallest stars before the rising sun: the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who alone hath immortality, and dwelleth in unapproachable light. How astonishing his goodness in vailing his glory, so that 16 we may approach him, in bowing down his ear to receive our requests, yea in coming to dwell with that man who is humble and of a contrite spirit, and who trembleth at his word! (Isa. lxvi 2.) To him be honour and power everlasting. And let his infinite majesty be deeply and affectionately remembered, amidst all the condescensions of his love. Let the rich in this world, since the riches which here distinguish them cannot attend them into another, be engaged to re- 17 ceive with all reverence the charge of our holy apostle. Too many of them walk in pride; but they see, by the sepulchres of many, once as opulent and as haughty as themselves, and by a thousand other marks of the Divine power and human weakness, how soon God is able to abase them. (Dan. iv. 37.) Forsaking, therefore, what they think their strong tower, and the high wall, which, instead of sheltering, may soon crush them into ruins, let them transfer their confidence to the living God. Alarmed in a state which renders their salvation almost as difficult as it is for a camel to go through a needle's eye, let them learn from hence how to improve what is another's, in such a manner, that they may in due time receive what shall be for ever their own; (Luke xvi. 12.) Let them learn to be rich in good works, and by a readiness to distribute and communicate, let them lay up a celestial treasure; and drop with joy every gilded trifle which would hinder their laying hold on eternal life. Let the ministers of that great Lord, who is so much higher than all the kings of the earth, at least shew their fidelity to him, in giving such plain and faithful charges, even to those, who, by their outward circumstances, 18 19 622 X. Reflections on the Apostle's charge to the rich. SECT. are placed in the highest ranks of life; being infinitely more solicitous about securing their Master's approbation than gaining the favour of mortal worms, who lift up their heads on high because they have a few grains of shining dust at their disposal, 20, 21 And may the men of God manifest the like wise and pious magnanimity, in avoiding a vain glitter of a falsely pretended science : when it would either lead them to err from the faith, or to neglect those important articles of it, which lie most plain and obvious in the word of God: and for that very reason are too often disregarded by those, whom an empty ostentation of subtilty and learning has taught, to treat the Divine wisdom of God as foolish ness. THE END OF THE FAMILY EXPOSITOR ON THE FIRST EPISTLE E BAINES, PRINTER, LEEDS. END OF THE NINTH VOLUME |