only at things visible and temporal, instead of look- ing also at things invisible and eternal. Moreover, their expectations of future good are generally too sanguine ; and their apprehensions of future evil weigh more upon their spirits than the occasion requires. Hence arises in their minds an excessive " carefulness," which it is the design of Christianity to counteract.
In the words which we have just read, we have,
I. A dissuasive from carefulness —
By "carefulness" we are not to understand, atten- tion ; for that is absolutely necessary to the discharge of our duties in the world : but we are to understand, anxiety ; which, as far as it prevails, argues a state of mind that is injurious to ourselves, and displeasing to God.
The great occasions of anxiety may be reduced to three ;
1. Some good desired —
[Men, in different situations of life, have their hearts set upon such things, as may possibly be attained by them, and such as they imagine will conduce greatly to their happiness. Some are eagerly pressing forward to the attainment of honour : others are insatiable in their thirst for gain. Some are altogether wrapped up in an idolatrous attachment to a fellow-creature; others are disquieted, like Rachel a, and Hannah b, because they are disappointed in the hopes of a family.
But all such anxieties are sinful. We may desire the good things of this life : but our desire must be subordinated to the will of God : and, while we use the proper means of attaining our wishes, we must use them with an entire submission to the disposals of his Providence.]
2. Some evil dreaded —
[Evils foreboded, are often more painful than when actually endured. They not unfrequently press with such a weight upon the mind, as to incapacitate men for the exer- tions, which would serve at least to mitigate their trials., if not altogether to avert them. For instance, men are sometimes so overcome with the apprehensions of a heavy loss, that they are unable to prosecute with attention their proper business,
a Gen. xxx. 1. b 1 Sam. i. 5 — 10.