but for the distinguishing favour shewn him by Godc? In like manner Esau hated Jacob, not merely for the manner in which he had gained the blessing, but because the birthright was transferred to him. Thus Saul hated David also, be- cause he saw that God was with him : and the Jews sought to destroy our Lord for no other reason than because he had brought to their recollection some instances wherein God had imparted to Gentiles favours which he had withheld from his own peculiar people*1.]
2. Their separation from the world — [When once the Christian sees the sin and danger of a carnal life, he will of necessity depart from it. He not only desires to obey the command which says, " Come out from among them and be separate," but he perceives, that, with his new views and principles, he can no more maintain communion with the world than light can with darkness, or Christ with Belial e. Hence he no longer walks in "the broad road that leadeth to destruction, but in the narrow path that leadeth unto life."
This is another great occasion of offence to the ungodly world ; for in departing from the pursuits and vanities of the world, the Christian does, in effect, declare the danger of those who still adhere to them; just as " Noah condemned the world" by building the ark, and Lot condemned Sodom by fleeing from itf. "Those who are of the world, the world will approve and love ;" because their spirit and conduct have a direct tendency to justify the world in all its proceedings : but " those who, like their Lord, are not of the world," and refuse to be conformed to its maxims and ways, will assuredly become objects of the world's displeasure ; for though their testimony be never audibly delivered, it will be seen and felt ; and every effort will be made on the part of the world to bring back those who have deserted its standard and enlisted themselves under the banners of the Lord Jesus g.]
That there is, however, no cause for alarm, will appear, if we consider,
II. What are those considerations which Christ has suggested for their support —
We confine ourselves to those mentioned in the text —
1 . Our Lord himself was so treated —
c Gen. iv. 4, 5. 1 John iii. 12. d Luke iv. 25— 29.
e 2 Cor. vi. 14—17. f Prov. xxviii. 4.
e Ps. xxxviii. 20. Gal. iv. 29.