(verse 14) made clear and emphatic in the Revised Version.]

[18] It might be an examination of not less importance, to ascertain
why provision for future possible wants is almost the only point, in
which the Christian and the man of the world stand on the same
ground, pursue the same ends, and govern themselves by the same
maxims; and how it happens that this part of our duty, if it indeed
be such, coincides so exactly with our natural propensities.

[19] What is here meant is--that the principle, contended for, by no
means precludes the carrying on such pursuits as require a large
stock. But, as he, who had ten talents, used them as a servant, and
brought the interest to his Master, so the Christian Merchant lives
and labours as a servant purchased by his Lord, and considers his
gains, as designed for his Master's service, not his private
emolument. If he so arts, whatever his station may be, he has given
up all for Christ. He remains where he is, not for his own private
advantage, but that, as a faithful steward, he may pour forth the
rich abundance, which God grants to his labours, to nourish and build
up the Church, and enlarge the confines of his Master's kingdom, and
the only personal advantage he has above his poorer brother is, he
has more anxieties (but for Christ, who sweetens them) every step he
advances up, and therefore would have no personal inducement to get
up but the sense of duty, that he may have more abundantly to give to
him who needeth, and the guinea dedications and speeches from the
rich, would pass out together as no longer needed; for one action of
real dedication would contain more argument than a thousand speeches
about it, from those who are laving in all the luxuries of life, and
yield more help than a thousand guineas, and there would be left for
the poorer, and the poorest would bring in their blessed two mites.

Transcribers notes:

The source for this etext is Chapter 5 of Lang, G. H. 1939. Anthony
Norris Groves, Saint and Pioneer. London: Thynne & Co. Footnotes have
been renumbered.

[Footnotes enclosed in brackets are comments made by Lang rather than
Groves. This expains what otherwise would be anachronous references
to the Revised Version of the Bible which was published in 1881.]

The first edition of "Christian Devotedness" was published by
Hatchard 1825.

End of Project Gutenberg's Christian Devotedness, by Anthony Norris Groves

*** END OF THIS PROJECT