2. There is danger in abundance. The moon is never eclipsed but when it is at full. An estate may be too great, as a shoe too big, or armour too great, as Saul's armour for David, 1 Sam. xvii. 39. It is harder for a rich man to go to heaven : Mat. xix. 24, ' It is easier for
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a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.' A moderate estate is freest from tempta- tions. Abundance of all things, without any want, disposeth to a for- getfulness of God ; as perpetual want, without any taste of God's good- ness, on the other side, disposeth the soul to atheism, which are the two extremes, whereof the one starveth religion, the other choketh it. The middle sort of men carry away heaven and graces, while others disregard God. Both poverty and riches, in the extremities, have their temptations ; the middle estate is freest from danger, both of sin and misery. Fertile ground is apt to breed weeds. Oh ! that men would often think of the worthlessness and insufficiency of worldly things! I shall not be more safe, nor happy, nor acceptable to God, nor more comfortable in myself. It is grace does all in poverty and riches ; and so all men are upon the same level : James i. 9, 10, ' Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted ; but the rich in that he is made low.'
3. Greater estates lie open to greater cares and troubles : Eccles. v. 11, ' When goods increase they are increased that eat them ; and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes ? ' True they have more attendance ; but then more pro- vision is required for them. The charge of family and retinue will increase likewise ; there are more bellies to be filled, more backs to be clothed ; in that which is real, others have their comforts as well as he.
4. Greater estates must give greater accounts. We are God's stewards, and we must give an account of our stewardship, Luke xvi. 2. You do but seek a greater trust, and you cannot discharge that you have already : Luke xii. 48, ' Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required ; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.' We must give an account for more time, more opportunities to do good ; the more mercy, the more plenty ; there is a greater reckoning to make.
5. When we come to die, it is not the possession, but the use will comfort us. We can carry nothing with us into the other world, but the comfort of a good conscience : Eccles. v. 15, ' As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.' Eiches cannot go with us into the other world. A godly man can carry his happiness with him, which another leaveth behind him. A worldly, wealthy man hath made his will, and left all his estate ; to such a son such an inheritance, to such a daughter such a portion, to such a friend such a legacy : what hath the poor man left for himself? If he hath not grace, what hath he left to carry with him but the anguish and misery of a guilty conscience, and the expectation of worse to come ? O poor miserable creature ! when all things take their leave, what a sorry comfort will that be that he hath once possessed! but if he hath used it well, their works follow them : Luke xvi. 9, ' Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.'
Well, then, use diversion.
[1.] Lot your desires be set on other blessings. I must and will have grace. Pitch your desires on the great blessings of the covenant. I
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must and will have grace and heaven. Valde protesfaius sum, saith Luther, me nolle sic a Deo satiari: Ps. cvi. 45, 'Remember me, 0 Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people ; 0 visit me with thy salvation, that I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.' Give me the favour of thy people. There is no danger, nor no snare in that. I will not be put off with other things : ' Who- soever will, let him take the water of life freely,' Eev. xxii. 17. All our business with you is to bring you to this resolute bent of heart as to your spiritual and eternal enjoyments. These are the blessings of his people. Christ gave his Spirit to the faithful apostles, and his purse to Judas. As Jacob would take no nay, he must have the blessing ; so a christian, Lord, I must have Christ, and I must have faith. This is holy impudence : Luke xi. 8, hia rrjv uvaiheiav, ' Though he will not rise, and give him, because he is his friend ; yet because of his importunity, he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.'