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From this discourse of our holy Lord's concerning the danger of riches, and the difficulty that attends rich men in their way to heaven, we may collect and gather,
First, That rich men do certainly meet with more difficulties in their way to heaven than other men. It is difficult to withdraw their affections from riches, to place their supreme love upon God in the midst of their abundance. It is difficult to depend entirely upon God in a rich condition; for the rich man's wealth is his strong tower.
Secondly, That yet the fault lies not in riches, but in rich men: who by placing their trust, and reposing their confidence in riches do render themselves incapable of the kingdom of God.
Observe, 3. The proverbial speech which our Saviour makes use of to set forth the difficulty of a rich man's salvation: It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye. This was a proverb among the Jews, signifying a thing of great difficulty, next to an impossibility; and it implies thus much, that it is not only a very great difficulty, but an utter impossibility, for such as abound in worldly wealth, and place their confidence therein, to be saved, without an extraordinary grace and assistance from God. It is hard for God to make a rich man happy, because he thinks himself happy without God.
Observe, 4. The disciples are affected with wonder and admiration at this doctrine of our Saviour's, and cry out, Who then can be saved?
Learn thence, That such are the special and peculiar difficulties which lie in the rich man's way to salvation, that their getting to heaven is matter of wonder and admiration to the disciples of Christ.
Observe, 5. How our Saviour resolves this doubt, by telling his disciples, that what was impossible with men, was possible with God; implying, that is is impossible for any man, rich or poor by his own natural strength to get to heaven.
And, 2. That when we are discouraged with the sense of our own impotency, we should consider the power of God, and fix our faith upon it: With God all things are possible.