and a care for our own souls, be our bounden duty, so long must the eager pursuit of any earthly vanity be incompatible with the Christian character.]
3. Why we should not seek any thing merely for ourselves —
[We are not our own, but God's. He both formed x and redeemed y us, that we might glorify his name : and he repre- sents his faithful servants as seeking, not their own things, but the things of Jesus Christ2. Are we then at liberty to rob God of his glory ? and to defeat the great end both of our creation and redemption? Besides, our fellow-creatures also have a claim upon us. We are commanded not to "seek every man his own, but every man another's wealth a. Ought we then to deprive them of their right? Doubtless we may without impropriety labour in our respective callings to pro- vide for ourselves and families ; but we must take care that, in doing this, we have a view to God's honour, and the general welfare of mankind. Else our labour is mere selfishness, that contracts and hardens our hearts, while it violates every obli- gation to God and man.]
Address —
1. Those who are seeking only the things of this world —
[WTiat have you gained by all your past exertions ? You are pleased, perhaps, with your success, and have your pride gratified : but are you really happier than you were before you possessed your present honours and emoluments? Perhaps we may rather ask, Have you not, together with your means of self-indulgence, multiplied also your vexations and disap- pointments ? But supposing you to be unusually favoured in these respects, we still ask, What comfort will these things afford you in the hour of death, and the day of judgment? Will they not then at least, whatever they may now do, appear to be lighter than vanity itself? Then in the name of God, " Seek them not."
If however you be determined to seek great things, we will change our voice, and say, "Seek them:" yes, seek them: only take care that they be truly great. Be not contented with the poor pitiful things of time and sense : let your ambi- tion rise to the very throne of God, and all the glory of heaven. Seek the favour of God : seek an union with Christ : seek an abiding fellowship with him : seek such discoveries of his love as produce in you a perfect conformity to his image.
x Isai. xliii. 21. y 1 Cor. vi. 20. 2 Cor. v. 15.
z Phil. ii. 21. a Phil. ii. 4. and 1 Cor. x. 24.