In all our actions, we should intend something useful and beneficial;
for the standing value of all things is in proportion to their use. To
undertake affairs with no other view but that of empty glory, whatever
some curious dreamers may fancy, is employing our time after a very
foolish manner. The Almighty created the world out of his infinite
goodness, for the good of his creatures, and not out of a passion for
glory, which is a vain, silly, mean principle; and when we talk of
glorifying the Author of our being, if we think reasonably, we must
mean shewing our gratitude to him, by imitating this goodness of his,
as far as we are able, and endeavouring to make some good or other the
aim of all our undertakings. For if empty glory be unworthy the pursuit
of a wise man, how vastly improper must it be to make an offering of it
to an all-wise Deity.
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