Of being anxious

Sermon on the Mount. St Matthew.

(The Gospel History, Section 43*)

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.

Of being anxious

(The Saviour of the World, Vol II Book III Poem XLVIII)

And spake the Lord:—
“All men desire treasure, that the heart,
Vexed by things contrary, may sudden dart
And steal an instant’s look at that lies by,
Or wife or child, or work, ambition high;—
In contemplation of his treasure, strong;
The man goes forth to strive his peers among.
But men there be who cherish trivial joys,
Mere things that money buys, and rust destroys,
And moth devours, reducing to vile dust;
Or place, the worldly covet, for they must,
Not knowing all appointments held for Me.
Choose well, My servant, what thy treasure be,
For where thou lay’st thy holdings—there thy heart,
Will, mind and purpose, effort, every part:—
Shall all thou art be spent on things of earth?
But, fear not, son; Thy Father knows thy birth,
The cravings of thy nature for the best;
With Me are laid up treasures at thy hest—
Love, joy, and praise, tranquillity and power;
Sweet graces to illumine every hour
Of thy dark pilgrimage; come, bank with Me,
And where thy treasure is thy heart shall be!”

St. Matthew vi. 19-21