[2,] The world is the great let and impediment to our obedience.
142 SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS I. 3.
In the first epistle of John, chap, v., in the context to the words that I am now explaining, ver. 2, 3, it is said, ' By this we know that we love the children of God,when we love God, and keep his commandments ; for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and. his commandments are not grievous.' Then it followeth, ver. 4, 'For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world,' &c. So Titus ii. 11, 12, ' For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should liv^e soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.' The one must be done that the other may be done. We shall soon be tempted to make a breach upon righteousness, sobriety, or godliness if we do not labour to overcome the world. So Ps. cxix. 36, ' Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness,'
[3.] This victory over the Vv'orld distinguisheth the spiritual from the animal life. The world of mankind is distinguished into two sorts — some that live the animal life, and some that live the spiritual life. They that live the animal life are such as only behave themselves merely as living creatures, or as a wiser sort of beasts, and the comfort of their life is only kept up by the good things of this world, land, heritages, honours, pleasures, riches ; and so reason is subjected ta sense, all their contrivance is for the flesh. But the spiritual and divine life is supported by the comforts of the Spirit and the foresight of eternal joys in the world to come, and so reason is raised and subli- mated by faith. These two lives are distinguished : John iii. 6, ' That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit ; ' 1 Cor. ii. 14, 15, ' But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him ; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned : but he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man;' and Jude 19, ' These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.' Now the more we live this spiritual life, the more thorough christians we are. Another kind of spirit cometh upon a man, he liveth as a man of another world ; he can bear up when the outward and animal life is exposed to the greatest difficulties, 2 Cor, iv. 16 ; he fetcheth his solace and comfort from those great and glorious things which are kept for him in heaven. It is a mighty thing to have this spirit of faith.
[4.] We cannot hold out with Christ whilst any temporal and sensitive thing lieth too near the heart : 1 Tim. vi. 10, ' For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows,' and 2 Tim. iv. 10, ' Demas hath forsaken us, having loved this present world.' The devil hath them in a string, and we are easily taken again, though we seem to make some escape from him.
3. Faith is the grace that is employed in overcoming the world. It is not only said to be a means of overcoming, but the victory itself ; for it is the nature of faith. There are terms in it as in other graces ; it is a recess from the world, and an access to God, a drawing off the heart from things visible and temporal to those which are invisible and eternal. How doth faith overcome the world ?
[1.] As it is an assent to God's word, and chiefly to the promises of
SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS I. 3. 143
the gospel. Now this strong and firm assent doth prepossess the mind with the glory of the world to come : Heb. xi. 26, ' Moses had an eye to the recompense of reward ; ' and 2 Cor. iv, 18, ' We look not to the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen ; ' and Heb. xi. 1, ' Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' By this sight and view of heavenly things our esteem of the world is abated, so by consequence the force of the temptation. Alas ! whatever this world offeretli must be left on this side the grave, pomp, pleasure, estate : 1 Tim. vi. 7, ' For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.' Here we lust for greatness, but death soon endeth the quarrel. In the grave no difference is to be discerned between rich and poor, both are aliiie obnoxious to rottenness and corruption ; but faith persuadethus.of better things : Heb. xi. 13, ' These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth,'