[Whatever engages the affections strongly, will warp the judgment, and produce a strong bias upon the mind. Duties, which would interfere with the prosecution of our object, will be neglected ; and measures, which may facilitate the attain- ment of it, will be adopted, without any scrupulous attention to their exact legality. Truth, honour, probity, will be sacri- ficed, rather than the favourite object be lost. And what need I say more, to mark the evil and danger of inordinate desire ? To whatever it have respect, it is a root and source of evil, which, if not corrected, will destroy the soul^.]
You will then, of course, desire to be informed, II. How we may most effectually divest ourselves of it- Much might be spoken upon this subject : but two hints only shall suffice :
1. Get a deep sense of the obligations which God has laid on us —
[See what your God has already given you in the bless- ings of creation in the care of his providence
and, above all, in the wonders of redemption What
can you wish for more ? Should not a reflection on these things fill you with unutterable joy? What can any thing else be in comparison of these stupendous mercies ? Verily, what- ever it be that is the object of your desire, it can be no more than the dust upon the balance, when weighed against the inconceivable blessings already conferred upon you ]
2. Get a lively sense of the obligations which he has laid upon hi?7iself aho respecting us —
[He has bound himself to us by covenant and by oath, that " we shall want no manner of thing that is good." If only we " seek first the kingdom of God and his righteous- ness, every earthly blessing shall be added unto us." We have only to " make our requests known to him, and all that we want shall be done unto us^." We have no more real occasion for carefulness than the birds of the air^, or than the child in the mother's arms. The clouds, the rock, the very ravens, should supply our wants, and for forty years together, rather than we should be destitute of any thing that is good. Only call to mind how the Almighty God cares for you, and you will feel no difficulty in casting your care on him^ ]
Application —
e 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10. f Phil. iv. 6.
s Matt. vi. 25—34. ^ 1 Pet. v. 7.