You are a citizen of the world, and a part of it; not a subservient, but a principal part.  You are capable of comprehending the divine economy and of considering the connection of things.  What, then, does the character of a citizen promise?  To hold no private interest, to deliberate of nothing as a separate individual, but like the hand or the foot, which, if they had reason, and comprehended the constitution of nature, would never pursue, or desire, but with a reference to the whole.

“Ah, when shall I see Athens and the citadel again?” Wretch, are not you contented with what you see every day?  Can you see anything better than the sun, the moon, the stars, the whole earth, the sea?  If, besides, you comprehend Him who administers the whole, and carry Him about in yourself, do you still long after pebbles and a fine rock?

Boldly make a desperate push, man, for prosperity, for freedom, for magnanimity.  Lift up your head at last as free from slavery.  Dare to look up to God, and say, “Make use of me for the future as Thou wilt.  I am of the same mind; I am equal with Thee.  I refuse nothing which seems good to Thee.  Lead me whither Thou wilt.  Clothe me in whatever dress Thou wilt.  Is it Thy will that I should be in a public or a private condition, dwell here or be banished, be poor or rich?  Under all these circumstances I will make Thy defence to men.  I will show what the nature of everything is.”  No, rather sit alone in a warm place, and wait till your nurse comes to feed you.  If Hercules had sat loitering at home, what would he have been?  You are not Hercules, to extirpate the evils of others.  Extirpate your own, then.  Expel grief, fear, desire, envy, malevolence, avarice, effeminacy, intemperance, from your mind.

But these can be no otherwise expelled than by looking up to God alone as your pattern; by attaching yourself to Him alone and being consecrated to His commands.  If you wish for anything else, you will, with sighs and groans, follow what is stronger than you, always seeking prosperity without, and never finding it.  For you seek it where it is not, and neglect to seek it where it is.

III.—­“HIS WILL IS MY WILL"

Have I ever been restrained from what I willed?  Or compelled against my will?  How is this possible?  I have ranged my pursuits under the direction of God.  Is it His will that I should have a fever?  It is my will too.  Is it His will that I should pursue anything?  It is my will too.  Is it His will that I should desire?  It is my will too.  Is it His will that I should obtain anything?  It is mine too.  Is it not His will?  It is not mine.  Is it His will that I should be tortured?  Then it is my will to be tortured.  Is it His will that I should die?  Then it is my will to die.

He has given me whatever depends upon choice.  The things in my power He has made incapable of hindrance or restraint.  But how could He make a body of clay incapable of hindrance?  Therefore He hath subjected my body, possessions, furniture, house, children, wife, to the revolution of the universe.  He who gave takes away.  For whence had I these things when I came into the world?