[Things are great or small by comparison only ; since that which would be great for a peasant, would be altogether worthless in the eyes of a king. But they may universally be called " great," when they far exceed our present condition: and, in that case, an aspiring after them subjects us to the censure in the text. The world indeed universally commend ambition : but worldly ambition is very opposite to the self- denying doctrines of Christianity. It was always discounte- nanced by our Lordc; and is universally reprobated by his Apostles d: and, wherever it rules in the heart, it indicates a carnal and worldly mind6.]
2. When we seek even moderate things with eager- ness—
[There is an important distinction to be made between industry, and eagerness : the one relates to the activity of the body ; the other to an excessive desire of the mind : the one is not only proper, but necessary, in our respective spheres f; the other is universally sinful, when it relates to earthly things. What can our Lord mean by repeating, no less than four times, that solemn injunction, " Take no thought5?" Doubt- less it is not to be taken literally in the strictest sense : but, allowing for the utmost latitude of interpretation, he must mean, that we should take no anxious thought even for the most moderate, or most necessary, comforts. In perfect agree- ment with this are the directions of his Apostles'11 — : conse- quently, the indulging of an eager desire after any thing pertaining to this life, exposes us to the reproof contained in the text.]
3. When we seek any thing merely for ourselves —
[We are not at liberty to make self in any instance the chief end of our actions. There is One above us, even God, whose honour we should seek, even in the most common offices of life1. To be lovers of our own selves is a mark of a reprobate mindk: and whatever we do under the influence of such a spirit, whether the action be of a civil1 or religious™ nature, it is not acceptable to God. Though therefore we do not aspire after great things, yet, if we seek any thing merely for ourselves, and without any higher end than our own ease, interest, or honour, we are altogether wrong, and deserving of the severest censure.]
c Matt. viii. 20. John vi. 15. Matt. vi. 19 — 21.
d Phil. in. 19. Col. iii. 2. e Rom. viii. 5.
f Rom. xii. 11. Eccl. ix. 10. s Matt. vi. 25, 28, 31, 34.
h 1 Cor. vii. 32. Phil. iv. 6. l 1 Cor. x. 31.
k 2 Tim. iii. 2. » Hos. x. 1.
m Zech. vii. 5, G.