For how many things do people labour after, break their rest and peace to get, which yet when gotten are of just as much real use to them, as a staff and shoes to a corpse under ground? They are always adding something to their life, which is only like adding another pair of shoes to a body in the grave.
Thou mayst hire more servants, new paint thy rooms, and put on richer apparel: and these will help thee to be happy, as _golden_ staffs or _painted_ shoes will help a dead man to walk.
XV. *If thou rememberest, that the whole race of mankind are a race of fallen spirits, that pass thro’ this world, as an arrow passeth thro’ the air, thou wilt soon perceive, that there is no wisdom or happiness, but in getting away to the best advantage.
If thou rememberest, that this life is but a vapour, that thou art in the body, only to be holy, humble, and heavenly-minded; that thou standest upon the brink of death, resurrection, and judgment, and that these great things will suddenly come upon thee like a thief in the night, thou wilt see a vanity in the things of this world, greater than any words can express.
Do but therefore know thyself as religion hath made thee known; do but see thyself in the light which Christ has brought into the world, and then thou wilt see that nothing concerns thee, but what concerns an everlasting spirit that is going to God; and that there are no enjoyments here that are worth a thought, but such as may adorn thee with that holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
XVI. *This is the end of Christianity. It is not a school for the teaching of moral virtue. It is deeper and more divine in its designs: it implies an entire change of heart, a full dedication of ourselves, our souls and bodies unto God.
Our blessed Saviour came into the world, not to make any composition with it, but to put an end to the designs of flesh and blood, and to shew us, we must either renounce this world to become Sons of God, or by enjoying it, take our portion among damned spirits.
Christianity is a state of things that wholly regards eternity: it knows of no other goods and evils, but such as relate to another life.
It is a kingdom of heaven that has no other interests in this world, than as it takes its members out of it; and when the number of the elect is compleat, this world will be consumed with fire, as having no other reason for its existence, than the furnishing members for that blessed society, which is to last for ever.
I cannot here omit observing the folly of human wisdom, which, full of imaginary projects, pleases itself with its lasting establishments in a world doomed to destruction, and which is to last no longer than till a sufficient number is redeemed out of it.
Did we see a number of animals hastening to take up their apartments, and contending for the best places in a building that was to be beat down as soon as its old inhabitants were got safe out, we should see a contention full as wise as the wisdom of worldly ambition.
XVII. That Christianity implies a change of nature, is plain from the whole tenor of the gospel.
The Saviour of the world saith, _That except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of_ God. We are told, that _to as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the Sons of_ God; _which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of_ God.
These words plainly teach us, that Christianity implies an entire change of nature: that as our birth was to us the beginning of a new life, and brought us into a society of earthly enjoyments, so Christianity is another birth, that brings us into a condition as new as when we first saw the light.
We begin again to be, when we enter upon fresh terms of life, have new tempers, new hopes and fears, and an entire change of every thing that can be called good or evil.
This new birth is the very essence and soul of Christianity; it is the seal of the promises, the mark of our sonship, the earnest of our inheritance, and the sure proof of our acceptance with God.
XVIII. If we would know what a change our new life in Christ implies, let us consider what it is to be born of God.
_Whosoever is born of_ God, saith the apostle, _doth not commit sin. For his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of_ God. _In this the children of_ God _are manifest, and the children of the devil_. And again, _We know, that whosoever is born of_ God _sinneth not, but he that is begotten of_ God _keepeth himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not_. 1 John iii. 10, v. 18.