rity, and not as the scribes." He was evidently a teacher come from God, and though clothed in the garb and speaking the language of man, He was no other than the Son of God Himself. And in the presence of such a speaker must not every eye have been intently fixed, and every mind deeply solemnized. He is giving forth the words of grace and truth; He is revealing the counsels of heaven to fallen man, and as the accents of mercy and peace flow from His lips, let every soul be hushed into solemn stillness, and "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

V. 3. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," says this heavenly teacher, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The true source of happiness, or the chief good of man, has been a subject which, in all ages, has occupied the anxious attention of the wise and learned. From the writings both of ancient and modern philosophers we learn that many different opinions have been entertained upon the subject. Jesus, however, in the outset of this discourse, lays down eight different qualities or features of character, which infallibly lead to the lasting happiness of the soul. The man who is possessed of these qualities is blessed in time, and destined to be blessed throughout eternity.

Before considering this portion of our Lord's sermon, which is usually termed the Beatitudes, we remark generally, that on the great subject of the true

happiness of man, Christ and the world are completely at variance. In the opinion of the world the happiness of man is derived from objects without him; in the opinion of Christ it is derived from the dispositions within him. Keeping this essential difference in view, it is well worth noticing that Jesus, in speaking here of the elements which compose true happiness, says not a word concerning those objects which men regard as chiefly contributing to their happiness, such as the possession of wealth, the indulgence of appetite, exemption from trouble, and the applause of our fellow men. These he not only does not include, but he purposely excludes from the list of true lasting blessings. If we would find true happiness, we must seek it not in the outward condition of a man, however prosperous, but in the inward state of a ransomed, accepted, sanctified child of God. To the different elements which compose the character of the truly happy man, let us now proceed, under the guidance of Him who spake as never man spake.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit." From what we have already said it must be plain, that in these words Jesus does not refer to the outward condition of a man. It is altogether an error, to suppose that either poverty or riches is essential to true happiness. No. "A man's life,” or real enjoyment, "consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." He may at one and the same time be poor and profli

gate; he may be rich and wretched. If, then, we would think of our outward condition at all, in its bearing upon our happiness, our safety lies in adopting the prayer of Agur, "Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.”

By the poor in spirit, whom our Lord pronounces blessed, we must understand those who are humbled before God under a sense of their own insignificance, and utter vileness; who are lying low at the divine footstool in quiet submission, being of a lowly and a contrite heart, and trembling at his word; who are feeling themselves to be wretched, and poor, and miserable, and who are, therefore, calmly receiving every thing from the hand of God, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Such was the spirit of David when he penned the Ps. cxxxi. "Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty! neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child." Such a man is truly blessed or happy. Sensible how little he deserves at the hand of God, he is thankful for what he is permitted to enjoy. He expects no great satisfaction in earthly things, and therefore he cannot be seriously disappointed. His temporal wants bear lightly upon his heart, compared with his spiritual necessities. He is poor in spirit. He feels his need of that gold tried in

the fire, by which alone he can be made rich. Το the inexhaustible treasury of Christ's fulness, therefore, he is incessantly repairing, and seeking to obtain those supplies of grace which Christ alone can give. Pardon, peace, purity, life everlasting, are the chief objects of his desire. These are to him the true riches. If poor, he is contented, peaceful, and resigned; if rich in this world's goods, he is poor in spirit. The elements of real enjoyment are in that man's heart. "Peace is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart."

But not only are the poor in spirit happy in this world, we are told on the highest authority that they are truly blessed, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." There is evidently a beautiful harmony between the character here described and the nature of the blessedness which the Redeemer promises to its possessor. They are poor in spirit, but theirs is a rich inheritance in the heavens. "God hath chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom." Some have supposed that the expression "the kingdom of heaven," simply refers to the blessings of the gospel dispensation, which the Messiah introduced. But when we look at the rest of the beatitudes, and more especially at that which occurs in the 8th verse, where we find the promise, "they shall see God," we cannot refrain from interpreting the words in a far more exalted sense, as implying

that they are subjects of the kingdom of grace on earth, and shall enter the kingdom of glory in heaven. This shall form the consummation of their happiness. "He raiseth the poor from the dunghill, and causeth him to sit among princes." Often did the humble believer sit like another Lazarus at the master's gate, feeling that he was a worthless beggar, all covered over with sores, and gladly did he feed upon the crumbs that fell from his master's table, but now the beggar has become a king. The royal diadem sparkles on his brow. He is clothed in the royal robe; the sceptre of a monarch is in his hand; and lo! he sits beside the Son of God, himself a king and priest for ever. Truly "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

V. 4. "Blessed," adds the Redeemer, 66 are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." This description," they that mourn," appears at first sight to include a far more extensive class of persons than that which we have just considered. All men indeed may be said to mourn. We live in a valley of tears, and so necessarily connected is distress of one kind or another with our fallen nature, that Scripture declares, and all experience confirms the truth of the declaration-" Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards." In the humble cottage and in the splendid palace the garb of the mourner may be