Page:The Parochial System (Wilberforce, 1838).djvu/104

once or twice, but repeatedly, and with an overflowing variety of language and figure. It is not one hundredfold, but as far beyond all earthly proportion, as the ages of eternity exceed the span of our mortal life. Therefore in the text which has already been cited, our blessed Lord after having enlarged on the temporal promise, makes no measure of this, but says only, "and in the world to come eternal life." Again let us hear more of His comfortable words. "Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old; a treasure in the heavens that faileth not." To the young ruler, lest His command might seem too stern, "Sell that thou hast," He added instantly "and thou shalt have treasure in heaven." And He bids us "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." It is observable in these blessed words of the Son of God how He repeats not only the same promise of a reward hereafter, but the same specific words treasure in heaven; as if He delighted to dwell upon the words which represent the glory which He had with His Father before the world was; and as if, knowing our frailty, He would engrave them upon our very