So that it is purely the engaging so far in the world as sober Christians do: it is their false satisfaction in so many things that they ought to renounce; it is their being too much alive to the world, that makes all, even those who are called religious, subject to tempers so contrary to the love of their neighbour.
Let this therefore teach us that we must renounce the world, if we would live and love like Christians.
XXVIII. By renouncing the world, I do not mean, retiring into a cloister. This would be like laying aside all use of cloaths, to avoid the vanity of dress.
There is a reasonable use of the world, which is as lawful as it is to eat and drink.
We may buy and sell; we may labour; we may provide for ourselves and our families; that is, so far as is needful for life and godliness. But farther we may not go.
The first step our desires take beyond things of necessity, ranks us among worldlings, and raises in our minds all those tempers, which disturb the minds of worldly men.
XXIX. You think yourself conformable to Christianity, because you are _moderate_ in your desires. You don’t desire a large estate; you desire only a _little_ finery, a _little_ state, and to have things genteel about you.
Imagine now, that what you say, of _moderate_ desires, and _little fineries_, had been said to our blessed Saviour when he was upon earth, calling men to renounce the world and deny themselves.
Your own conscience tells you, he would have rebuked the author of such a pretence with as much indignation as he rebuked _Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan, for thou savourest not the things that be of God_.
Now the spirit of Christianity is the same spirit that was in Christ when he was upon earth. And if we have reason to think that such a pretence would have been severely condemned by Christ, we have the same reason to be sure, it is as severely condemned by Christianity.
XXX. Had our blessed Saviour a little before he left the world, given _estates_ to his apostles, with a permission for them to enjoy _little fineries_, and a _moderate state_ in a _genteel_ manner, he had undone all that he had said of the contempt of the world, and heavenly-mindedness. Such a permission had been a contradiction to the main doctrines which he had taught.
Had the apostles lived in a _little state_, and in _moderate_ worldly delights, how could they have said, _the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world_?
And how blind and weak must we be, if we can think that we _may_ live in a spirit and temper, which could not possibly be the spirit and temper of Christ and his apostles?
XXXI. *Another pretence for worldly care and labour after riches, is to provide for our families.
You want to leave fortunes to your children, that they may have their share in the _figure_ and _shew_ of the world. Now consider, do you do this on principles of religion, as the best thing you can do, either for yourself or them?
Can you then be said, to have chosen the _one thing needful_ for yourself, or the _one thing needful_ for them, who take such care to put them in a state of life, that is a _snare_ and a _temptation_, and the most likely of all others, to fill their minds with _foolish and hurtful lusts_?
Is it your kindness toward them that puts you upon this labour? Consider therefore what this kindness is founded upon? Perhaps it is such a kindness as when _tender_ mothers carry their daughters to _plays_ and _balls_: such a kindness as when _indulgent_ fathers support their sons in all the expence of their follies. Such _kind_ parents may more properly be called the _betrayers_ and _murderers_ of their children.
You love your children, and therefore you would have them rich. It is said of our blessed Saviour, that he loved the _young rich_ man that came unto him, and therefore he bid him _sell all_ that he had. What a contrariety is here? The love which dwelleth in you, is as contrary to the love which dwelt in Christ as darkness is to light.
We have our Saviour’s express command, to love one another, _as he loved us_. And can you think you are following this love, when you are giving those things to your children, which he took away from his friends, and which he could not possibly have given them without contradicting the greatest part of his doctrines?
XXXII. *But suppose you succeed in your designs, and leave your children rich, what must you say to them when you are dying? Will you then tell them that you have the same opinion of the value of riches you ever had; that you feel the pleasure of remembring how much thought and care you have taken to acquire them? Will you tell them that you have provided for their ease and softness, their pleasure and indulgence and figure in the world; and that they cannot do better than to eat and drink and take their fill of such enjoyments as riches afford? This would be dying like an _Atheist_.