ing attested, _is not
of this world_, how can outward learning, riches, settled abode, or any
worldly thing, constitute one a member thereof? These do not make one a
better Christian. No. _Not many wise men after the flesh, not many
mighty, not many noble, are called_ with a holy calling. How ordinarily
do rich men oppress the saints, draw them before judgment-seats, and
blaspheme Jesus' worthy name, by which they are called! If worldly
privileges and endowments cannot make one a subject of the Mediator's
spiritual kingdom, how can they entitle any to, or raise him above his
brethren in, the privileges thereof? If by the Son of God the poor
cottager has been made free indeed; has been taught to profit; is rich
in faith; is a king and priest unto God; and hath received a kingdom
that cannot be moved; in the view of the Omniscient and his angels, and
every man wise to salvation, how little is he inferior to his rich,
perhaps his graceless, master? Your rich man has college education,
understands philosophy, history, law, agriculture; but will that infer
that he understands his Bible, understands Christian principles,
spiritual experiences, and what spiritual gifts best correspond
therewith, better than his cottager, who daily searches the Scriptures,
and has heard and learned of the Father? How oft are the great things of
God hid from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto babes! Christ
crucified was to the learned Greeks foolishness; but to the poorest
believer the power of God and the wisdom of God. "The natural man,"
however learned, "receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither
can he know them; for they are spiritually discerned," 1 Cor. ii. 14.
How easy to find the herdman, or the silly woman, who will endure a
trial on Christian principles to far better purpose than many of your
rich, your great men!--Your great man is the head of a numerous family,
and has great influence in the corner. That, no doubt, is a strong
motive for him, if he is a Christian, to be exceeding wary in his
choice: if he is so, no doubt his Christian judgment, as far as is
consistent with spiritual liberty, is to have its own weight. But while
Christ's _kingdom is not of this world_; while in him there is _neither
male nor female, bond nor free_; headship over a family can found no
claim to a spiritual privilege. Thousands of heads of families are
plainly _aliens from the commonwealth of Israel_, without God, and
without hope in the