ttle for riches as any of us,--nay, men
every way of a more smooth and blameless carriage than the most part of us
are? Yet behold the construction that Christ puts on them, "after all
these things do the nations seek." I think many of them have declaimed
more against the baseness of covetous spirits,(499) than many Christian
preachers, and in the very practice of it have outstripped the most part
of the Christian world. Yet in the scripture sense, even all these who
have cried down the world, are but lovers of it, and of themselves too.
How can this be? It is certain every man is composed of desires and
breathings after some thing without himself. Some men's desires are more
shallow and low than others. One man hath honour in admiration, and may
despise riches. Another follows his pleasures and may neglect both these.
Nay, possibly a man may be moderate in all these things, so that none can
challenge him, and yet he is but a lover of the world. It is the master he
serves, and the idol he worshippeth, because no man wants one, or many
idols, something to take up his affection and desires. Now though such a
man seems moderate in these, in comparison of others whose hearts run more
after them, yet, because there is no other thing, that does take up his
heart so much as these, he is but in Christ's account among the heathen
nations. Some of you are not in great expectations, ye have but mean
projects, ye seem content with few things, ye are not vexing yourselves as
others do, but let the world come and go as it pleases, without much
disquiet. This, I say, may be the temper of some natural spirits, yet I
ask such of you, is there any thing else ye seek more after, or spend more
time and thought upon, and what is that? Is there any other thing ye are
more taken up with, than your present ease and accommodation in this life?
No certainly, ye cannot say so, however your projects be mean and low, yet
they are confined within time and things present, and the kingdom of grace
and glory comes not much in your mind. Then, I say, thou art but a lover
of the world. Mammon is thy god. Thou seekest not the kingdom of heaven,
and shalt not obtain it. For that which the nations seek after is thy
predominant.

Will ye then, I beseech you, gather in your hearts to consider this. Is it
a light matter we speak of, life or death? Doth it not concern you as much
as you are worth? Therefore consider it as seriously as if you were going
hence to