DISCOURSE H. 537 sien, even to the -very end of life, that if they could but have contrived how to carry it away with them to the other world, there would have been but little silver ; and scarce any gold left in cur world long ere this time. This has employed their morn- ing thoughts and eveningaffections, their earnest wishes, and their busy fingers day and night, so as to leave little room for the love of God and religion. Others there are who make honour and esteem, or perhaps the grandeur and pomp, and equipage of life, the chief object of their love. Their hopes and cares, their desires and enqui- ries are, how shall I shine among men, and make a figure in the world ? Every gay gilded thing they see raises their wishes Ambition, honour and applause, engage their whole sails: A fancied contempt or neglect of them stirs their jealousy, and awakens all their uneasy passions. They mourn more, and are more inwardly and deeply vexed for one reproachful word from . men, than for all their own affronts to the great and blessed God. Can the love of God reign in a heart se puffed up and filled with self and vanity? There are others again, whose idol is pleasure and vain de- light. A round of pleasing amulements, a succession of sensua- lities, is their chief good: This employs their constant contri- vances, this engages their hopes and fears, and every passion. They spend their anxious enquiries upon thegratification of ap- petite, humour, and fancy : What shall I eat, and what shall I drink? How shall I dine elegantly, and regale myself at the table ? What are the most luxurious dishes in season, and where shall I find gay or merry company in the evening ? The tavern, or the meaner drinking-house, the comedy or the ball, and every place of pastime, whether lawful or unlawful, detain their souls as well as their bodies, and engage their thoughts. long before-hand. Does the sincere love of God reign in such sort of spirits ? These are the things that busy and engross the daily Pas- sions of men, and scarce a small corner of their heartsis left for God and religion. But let us remember God 'is an all-glorious and sovereign being, his holy jealousy forbids him to accept of a corner of the heart. He refuses and disdains every lover that does not give .up his whole self to himwith all his powers. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul: Every affection must and will he employed in a pious man- ner, where divine love is, as it always ought to be, the supreme passion. But, alas ! how few souls are thus moulded and re- fined, how few are regulated and governed by so divine a prin- ciple ? Man is the creature of God, and oweshis all to him ; but the creature man does not love his Creator. III. If divine love be so sovereign and ruling an affection,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=