2. Nothing worthy of their hopes, and of that eternity which they expect. When men waste their strength and time in worldly projects
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and pursuits, they live as if their portion were only in this world. A traveller, that is to stay but half an hour in a room, or for a night in. an inn, would he adorn it with hangings ? They that are so much in this world, they show they do not look for a better: Pro v. xv. 24, ' The way of the wise is above ; ' their heart is fixed on heaven, and the face of their conversation is turned that way. Your lives do not bear proportion with your hopes. Well, then, what do you make the scope of your lives ? A christian is satisfied with nothing but eternity : 2 Cor. iv. 18, /z?) aKwrrovvTwv t)ii(av, 'While we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen ; for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal.' A christian useth the world, and followeth his business, but he dotli not make it his scope ; his heart is within the veil. There is an eternal principle in the heart of every godly man, and therefore they cannot be satisfied with the things of the world ; he mindeth other things in a subordination to eternity, mercies and duties of his calling, with respect to his usefulness and service ; and therefore spendeth his time and estate so that his main work is to provide for eternity : 1 Tim. vi. 19, ' Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.' But now men think they can never have enough in the world, and make but slight provision for the life to come ; they make all things sure in the world, and any slight assurance serveth the turn for eternity ; they live as if their hopes were altogether in the world, they do not make eternity their scope.
3. Nothing worthy of Christ's example. In Christ's example we may take notice of two things — the heavenliness of it, and the courage of it.
[1.] The heavenliness. Christ despised the world ; the great en- couragement of his human soul was ' the glory set before him,' Heb. xii. 3. He came from heaven on purpose to set us this example. But now, when a christian followeth the world, when he is of this temper that he could wish to live always that he might enjoy the world always, ' they have their reward,' anrkyovai^ Mat. vi. 2. They discharge God of all his promises, and look for no more. A thousand worlds will not satisfy a craving heart ; but a child of God is content with the least mercies, but not satisfied. Contentment respects God's allowance ; but this is not their portion : they do not murmur, but yet they desire more ; a reprobate's portion will not serve the turn. Nothing is more acceptable to a carnal heart in conceit, than to live here for ever, and to delight themselves in meat and drink, and the sports and glory of the world. Now this is quite contrary to the example of Christ, a disposition that seeketh to make the life and death of Christ of none effect. Christ came from heaven to earth to fetch us to heaven ; if thou cleavest to the world, Christ's coming is vain ; he lived in a jjoor estate, to teach us to despise the world ; his life was a sermon of mortification ; he died to deliver as from the present world ; he ascended that we might follow him with our hearts while wo live here.
[2.] The courage of Christ's example. He was not for the humour of that age : John viii. 23, ' Ye are from beneath, I am from above ; ye are of this world, I am not of this world.' He speaketh to the
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carnal Jews, that looked for a pompous Messiah, that should maintain their worship and state, and deliver them IVom the Roman yoke and servitude. Christ was not a Messiah for their turn ; if Christ had complied with their humours, he had been more generally received. So a christian's courage is a counter-motion to the fashions and humours of the age. We must not be afraid to be singular in holiness. So was Christ : Acts ii. 40, ' Save yourselves from this untoward generation ; ' not only in purpose and thought of heart, but externally in course of life. When men are afraid to estrange themselves from the corrupt and carnal courses of the world that are in fashion, they do not write after Christ's copy. What father would endure his son should be intimate with his enemies, and symbolise with them in practice and conversation ? Therefore you must look to this ; you are in danger. Christ's example is only left upon record, and the world's example is before your eyes ; living examples work much, and taint insensibly. The prophet complained, Isa. vi. 5, ' Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips,' An estrangement in the course of life will draw trouble upon you ; but persecution is not as bad as hell, nor is man's wrath to be feared as much as God's judgments. Carnal men may make great profession of the name of Christ, but they humour the world : 1 John iv. 5, ' They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them ; ' they comply to humour the carnal world in their inveterate customs and superstitions.