s are divided,--on the one side, many things, and on the
other, one kingdom more worth than all, so are men divided accordingly. On
the one hand are the nations and Gentiles, on the other a poor handful. Ye
my disciples, "Seek ye," says Christ, "first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness, and all these things," what ye shall eat, and what ye shall
drink, or wherewithal ye shall be clothed, "shall be added." For after all
these things the Gentiles seek, and your Father knoweth that ye have need
of them. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to
give you the kingdom," Luke xii. 29, 31. Now this division hath been
always in the world. "For many say, (Psal. iv. 6, 7), Who will show us any
good?" But they who have their affections gathered in one channel toward
one thing, are as it were but one man. But, Lord, "lift thou up the light
of thy countenance upon us, thou hast put gladness in my heart more than
in the time that their corn and wine increased." Here then is even the
course of the world, the way of the multitude. They have their way
scattered, their gain lies in many arts. Many things they must seek,
because they forsake the one thing necessary. When they forsake the one
fountain of living water, they must dig up, and hew out to themselves many
broken cisterns, that can hold no water, no one to help another. This is
even proclaimed by the conversation of a great part of the world. Do ye
not declare this, by your eager pursuit of this world, and the things of
it, and your careful thoughts of it, that ye have no mind(498) of
eternity, or the kingdom to come? Ye seek nothing but things here, and
these do not descend after you. Be persuaded, I beseech you, be persuaded
of this, that when ye have your hearts below, that ye are no better, the
most part of you, than pagans. Ye have this pretence, that it is necessary
to live and follow some calling. It is true indeed. But is it not more
necessary to live for ever after death than for a moment? Godliness will
not prejudge this life or thy calling, but ye seek after these things, as
if ye were to live eternally in this vain world. Ye could toil no more,
take no more thought for a million of ages, than ye do now for the morrow.
This prejudges and shuts out all thoughts of heaven or hell. Ye are called
to a kingdom. This is offered unto you. Will ye be so mad as to refuse it,
and embrace the dunghill, and scrape it still together? We declare unto
you i