My disciple." (Luke xiv. 33.) We must, therefore, leave all things in this world, at least in affection, to attain the perfect enjoyment of Christ, and we must consider that we have made a good exchange, for we gain a hundred fold, a hundred times over what we have left.
SATURDAY.
The Pearl.
I. "The kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls." (Matt. xiii. 45.) We are all merchants so long as we live in this world; hence, Christ in the parable of the talents said, " Trade till I come." (Luke xix. 13.} All men are in quest of pearls; that is, of the means of happiness; some place their happiness in temporal enjoyments, others in learning and science, and others in honors. They are, however, all mistaken; all these are false pearls; they have nothing to recommend them but their outward show. Hence the Apostle addresses the rich: "Your riches are putrefied, your gold and silver are rusted." (James v. 2.) Examine whether you be not employed in seeking such kind of pearls.
II. "When he had found one pearl of great value, he sold all that he had, and bought it." There is only one true and really valuable pearl, that is, Christ our Lord and the love of eternal things. " All gold in comparison to her is as a little sand, and silver in respect to her shall be counted as clay." (Wisdom, vii. 9.) There is no comparison between time and eternity, heaven and earth, nor is there any between Christ and all earthly goods whatever, and yet as often as you sin you prefer some temporal gratification to Christ.
III. Here we are told again that this precious pearl is
