m as the speech
of angels, a remembrancer to him of that eternal and ever-present heaven,
from which all beauty, truth, and goodness are shed forth over the
universe, from the glory of the ever-blessed Trinity--Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit.

Does any one say--These things are too high for me; I cannot understand
them? My dear friends, are they not too high for me likewise? Do you
fancy that I understand them, though my reason, as well as Holy
Scripture, tells me that they are true? I understand them no more than I
understand how I draw a single breath, or think a single thought. But it
is good for you, and for me, and for every man, now and then, to hear
things which we do NOT understand; that so we may learn our own
ignorance, and be lifted up above ourselves, and renounce our fancied
worldly wisdom, and think within ourselves:--Would it not be wiser to
confess ourselves fools, and take our Lord's advice, and be converted,
and become as little children? For otherwise, our Lord says, we shall in
nowise enter into this very kingdom of heaven of which I have been
telling you. For this is one of the things which God hides from the wise
and prudent, and yet revealeth unto babes. Yes, that is the way to
understand all things, however deep--to become as little children. A
little child proves that all I say is true, and that it knows that all I
say is true. Though it cannot put its feelings into words, it acts on
them by a mere instinct, which is the gift of God. Why does a little
child pick flowers? Why does a little child dance when it hears a strain
of music? And deeper still, why does a little child know when it has
done wrong? Why does it love to hear of things beautiful and noble, and
shrink from things foul and mean, if what I say is not true? The child
does so, because it is nearer heaven, not further off, than we grown
folk.

Ah! that we would all lay to heart what one said of old, who walked with
God:--

"Dear soul, could'st thou become a child,
Once more on earth, meek, undefiled,
Then Paradise were round thee here,
And God Himself for ever near."

SERMON XXX. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Chapel Royal, St James'. 1873.

St. Matt. xxii. 2-7. "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king,
which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call
them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again,
he sent forth other serva