Thomas Watson
For men to say their hopes are above, while their hearts are below; to profess to be above the stars, while they lick the dust of the serpent; to be born of God, while they are buried in the earth; how dishonourable is this to religion! The lapwing, which wears a little coronet on its head, and yet feeds on dung, is an emblem of such as profess to be crowned kings and priests unto God, and yet feed immoderately on earthly dunghill comforts.
“And seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not” (Jer 45:5). What, you Baruch, who are ennobled by the new birth, and are illustrious by your office, a Levite, do you seek earthly things, and seek them now? When the ship is sinking, are you decorating your cabin? Do not so degrade yourself, or blot your coat of arms! Do you seek great things? Seek them not. The higher grace is, the less earthly should Christians be – as the higher the sun is, the shorter is the shadow.
1 An edited extract from The Ten Commandments.