Poor in Spirit

These are the first to be called “blessed” in the sermon on the mount and signify those who by grace have learned to be nothing in their own ayes, or if anything, “lees than the least of all saints.” A peculiar blessing is pronounced on those who thus bear the likeness of their Lord (Matt. 5:33Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)).