In reference to the Missio Dei, I think you can see even Carey aligned with it in the full title: “Expect great things from God [and] attempt great things for God.”

I had a similar thought the first time I heard the title of this sermon/quote from Carey.

Under the context thought, it makes a lot more sense. He was preaching to hyper-Calvinists who had determined that if God wanted to “save the heathen” then God would do it and needed no help from us.

Carey was trying to move them off of their backsides and into motion.

“Attempt” as opposed to “Sit”.

I don’t think he was arguing against the Missio Dei.

Should we even be ATTEMPTING things for God as if we didn’t know what pleased the heart of God? I seems to me that there’s a fairly simple list in scripture of what pleases God. I think if we’re doing those things then we don’t have to “attempt” anything.

And perhaps misguided, as well. For God to consider something to be a “great attempt,” wouldn’t it need to be following something He is doing rather than building edifices to our own name? Just for instance.