He does not mean that we cannot render them a7iy services —
[This is not the case even with earthly masters : for we may serve two or three masters, provided they be contented
with services that diXe partial, subordinate, ox successive
And in such a manner as this, we may serve both God and Mammon.]
He does not mean that we cannot render them the services which are their due —
[If only we clearly ascertain what services are due to each, we shall find that they are not at all incompatible with each other. Those who are averse to perform their duties to God, are very apt to represent them as inconsistent with the duties of relative and social life. But this is without any just foundation. It would be strange indeed if the duties of the two tables opposed each other : on the contrary, we cannot truly perform the one without performing the other also : in serving God, we shall serve the world ; and in serving the world, we shall serve our God.]
His meaning is, that we cannot render them the services which they require —
[God requires that we should love and serve him with all our heart, and mind, and soul, and strength. He requires, that every thing bad shall be renounced for him ; every thing indifferent be subordinated to him ; and every thing good be done with a direct reference to his will as the rule, and his glory as the end.
The world, on the contrary, prescribes laws and maxims for our conduct which God has never prescribed, yea, which he has expressly forbidden. And it is in this contrariety of the one to the other, that we must look for the fuller explanation of the words before us.]
Let us then proceed to state, in reference to this assertion,
H. The grounds and reasons of it —
If it be asked. Why can we not serve both God and Mammon ? we answer. Because,
1. Their interests are different —
[God has a cause which is exceeding dear to him; a cause which occupied his mind from all eternity, and for the promotion of which he has given his only-begotten Son to die for us, and his blessed Spirit to instruct us. The interest he pursues, is the reign of Christ on earth, and the establishment