5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?



Ver. 5. Chosen the poor] This the world wonders and stumbles at. The heathen Romans would not receive Christ (though they heard of his miracles and mighty works) into the number of their gods, because he preached poverty and made use of poor persons. Aigoland, king of Saragossa in Arragon, refused to be baptized because he saw many lazars {a} and poor people expecting alms from Charlemagne’s table; and asking what they were, was answered, that they were the messengers and servants of God. And can he keep his servants no better? said he. I will be none of his servants. (Turpine.) But what saith Christ? "I know thy poverty; but (that is nothing) thou art rich," Rev_2:9. And the poor are gospellized, not only receive it, but are changed by it, Mat_11:5. We usually call a poor man a poor soul: a poor soul may be a rich Christian, and a rich man may have a poor soul; as he in the Gospel that had animam triticeam, a wheaten soul, Luk_12:16-21, and as those other rich fools in David’s days, whose hearts were as fat as grease; they delighted not in God’s law, Psa_119:70.



Heirs of the kingdom] Heads destinated to the diadem, saith Tertullian.



{a} A poor and diseased person, usually one afflicted with a loathsome disease; esp. a leper. ŒD