The care of the heart
What he here condemns is the care of the heart: the anxious, uneasy care, the care that has torment, all such care as does hurt either to the soul or body. What he forbids is that care which sad experience shows wastes the blood and drinks up the spirits, which anticipates all the misery it fears and comes to torment us before the time. He forbids only that care which poisons the blessings of today by fear of what may be tomorrow, which cannot enjoy the present plenty through apprehensions of future want. This care is not only a sore disease, a grievous sickness of soul, but also a heinous offense against God, a sin of the deepest dye. It is a high affront to the gracious Governor and wise disposer of all things, necessarily implying that the great Judge does not do right, that he does not order all things well. It plainly implies that he is wanting either in wisdom, if he does not know what things we stand in need of, or in goodness, if he does not provide those things for all who put their trust in him. Beware therefore that you take not thought in this sense. Be anxiously careful for nothing (Philippians 4:6). Take no uneasy thought. This is a plain, sure rule: uneasy care is unlawful care. With a single eye to God do all that lies in you to provide things honest in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17). And then give up all into better hands. Leave the whole event to God.
1771 text
17. What he here condemns is, “The care of the heart:” the anxious, uneasy care: the care that hath torment; all such care as does hurt, either to the soul or body. What he forbids is, that care which sad experience shews, wastes the blood and drinks up the spirits: which anticipates all the misery it fears, and comes to torment us before the time. He forbids only that care, which poisons the blessings of to-day, by fear of what may be to-morrow; which cannot enjoy the present plenty, though apprehensions of future want. This care is not only a sore disease, a grievous sickness of soul, but also an heinous offence against God, a sin of the deepest dye. It is an high affront to the gracious Governor and wise disposer of all things; necessarily implying, that the great Judge does not do right, that he does not order all things well. It plainly implies, that he is wanting, either in wisdom, if he does not know what things we stand in need of: or in goodness, if he does not provide those things, for all who put their trust in him. Beware therefore that you take not thought in this sense: be ye anxiously careful for nothing. Take no uneasy thought: this is a plain, sure rule, uneasy care is unlawful care. With a single eye to God do all that in you lies, to provide things honest in the sight of all men. And then give up all into better hands: leave the whole event to God.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 29 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 6:24-34.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.