_Shewing, how the fear of being singular, and making the world their rule of action, is a second great cause, why so few devote themselves to GOD._
ANOTHER cause why so few devote themselves to GOD, is a _fear of contempt_ from the world, and their making its modes and customs the general rule of all their actions.
The history of the gospel is chiefly the history of CHRIST’s conquest over the world. And the number of true christians, is only the number of those who following the Spirit of CHRIST, have lived, and do live, contrary to this spirit of the world.
“Whosoever is born of GOD, (says the apostle) overcometh the world. Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth; for ye are dead, and your life is hid with CHRIST in GOD.”
This is the language of the whole New Testament; this is the mark of real christianity. We are to be dead to the spirit and temper of the world, and live a new life in the Spirit of JESUS CHRIST.
It was this, that made Saint _Paul_ so passionately express himself, “GOD forbid, that I should glory, save in the cross of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.” But why does he glory? because his christian profession had called him to the honour of suffering for CHRIST, and of dying to the world, under reproach and contempt, as the LORD JESUS had died upon the cross. Hence he immediately adds, “by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
Thus was the cross of CHRIST, in Saint _Paul_’s time, the glory of christians. For he elsewhere asserts, speaking of christians in general, that they are “to suffer, to be crucified, to die, and to rise with CHRIST;” or else his crucifixion, and death, and resurrection, will profit them nothing. As to his sufferings, says he, “if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him.” As to his crucifixion and death, “Knowing that our old man is crucified with him. If we are dead with CHRIST, we believe that we shall also live with him.” And then as to the resurrection of CHRIST, says he, “If ye be risen with CHRIST, seek those things which are above.” From all which texts it plainly appears, that our blessed LORD not only died and rose again in our stead, and as our federal head and representative, but that also if we are christians indeed, we are to be conformed to all he did and suffered for us.
It was for this reason, that the holy JESUS said of his Disciples, and of all true believers, “they are not of this world, as I am not of this world.” Because, all true believers conforming to the sufferings, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of CHRIST, live no longer after the spirit and temper of this world, but “their life is hid with CHRIST in GOD.”
How high this life is placed above the ways of the world, is wonderfully described by Saint _Paul_, in these words: “Wherefore, henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known CHRIST after the flesh; yet henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
He that feels the force and spirit of these words, can hardly bear any human interpretation of them. “Henceforth, &c.” that is, since the death and resurrection of CHRIST, the state of christianity is become so glorious a state, that we do not even consider CHRIST himself as in the flesh upon earth, but as a GOD of glory in heaven; we know and consider ourselves not barely as men in the flesh, but as fellow members of a new society, that are to have all our hearts, our tempers and conversation in heaven.
Saint _John_ plainly declares thus much: “They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them; _we are of GOD_.” This is his description of the followers of CHRIST; and it is proof enough, that no people are to be reckoned christians in reality, who in their hearts and tempers belong to this world.
Saint _Paul_ takes it for a certainty so well known to christians, that they are no longer to be considered as living in this world, that he thus argues from it, as from an undeniable principle, concerning the abolishing the rites of the _Jewish_ law: “Wherefore, if ye be dead with CHRIST from the rudiments of the world, why as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances?” Here could be no argument in this, but in the Apostle’s taking it for undeniable, that christians knew, their profession required them to have done with all the tempers and passions of this world, and to live as citizens of the _New Jerusalem_, and to have their conversation in heaven.
Our blessed LORD himself has fully determined this point, in these words, “They are not of this world, as I am not of this world.” This is the state of christianity with regard to this world. If you are not thus out of and contrary to the world, you want the distinguishing mark of christianity: You do not belong to CHRIST, but by being out of the world as he was out of it.