September 24

Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not he taken away from her. - Luke 10:42.

AND what was said of this pious woman will apply to all Christians. All other things, however good in themselves, and whatever “part” or portion we have in them, are transient, and perish with their using. What is all history but a relation of the revolutions to which all worldly things are liable; of the rich despoiled of their wealth; of nobles stripped of their honours; of princes dethroned, exiled, imprisoned, and put to death? If these instances are too peculiar, and too remote and national to produce impression, let us look nearer home.

What is honour, but a noisy breath? What is popularity? It hangs on the wavering tongue of the multitude, who are now crying “Hosanna,” and now “Crucify him, crucify him;” the people one moment called Paul a murderer, and not worthy to live, because a viper had settled upon his hand; and then the next moment they would have adored him as a god, because he had shaken it off into the fire, and had got no hurt. And what are riches? They are called in the Scriptures not only “the mammon of unrighteousness,” but “uncertain riches.” Riches, says Solomon, “make to themselves wings, and fly away;” not like an owl, towards the wood; but like an eagle, towards heaven, to carry thither the tidings how they have been received, used, and improved. Job Orton, in a note to one of his sermons, says, that a friend of his having received by legacy a sum of money to distribute in the way of charity, in a single year after he had come into possession of it, he was applied to for a share of it by no less than twenty-three individuals who had rode in their own carriages. And here is another thing to be taken into account too.

Allowing that these things were possessed by us, and could be perpetuated in our possession to the end of life, they can be possessed no longer. We have only a life interest in them. Shall we therefore set our heart upon that which, is not, and that from which we are so soon to be removed? This, therefore, is a reason why we should choose that “good part which shall not be taken away” from us. He that makes this his treasure has seized a blessedness which is independent of external accidents- independent of the revolutions of states, of the ravages of death, and of the universal conflagration.

When the earth and all the works therein shall be burnt up, at the last day, he will be able to stand upon the ashes of the universe and say, I have lost nothing. “I look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” Oh, here all is sure and certain. Is the Christian pardoned? He is pardoned for ever; if his sins are sought for they shall not be found. Is he accepted in the Beloved? then he may exult and say with an Apostle, “I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Has he a “building of God?” it is a “house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Has he an inheritance? it is “an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.” Does he “return and come to Zion?” “it is with songs of everlasting joy upon his head.” He is inspired with everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace, and may say and sing with Doddridge-

“Engage this roving, treacherous heart

To fix on Mary’s better part,

To scorn the trifles of a day

For joys which none can take away.”

“Then let the wildest storms arise,

Let tempests mingle earth and skies,

No fatal shipwreck shall I fear,

But all my treasures with me bear.”