[It was in order to this end that Christ himself came into the world, and died upon the cross: " He gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father1." And to pro- duce this blessed effect is the great scope and tendency of his Gospel : " By the cross alone it is that the world is crucified unto us, and we unto the world u." In fact, there is not a person upon earth that ever gets a victory over the world, except by faith in Christ x. On the other hand, every one that is really born of God does gain this victory y. And this is the distinguishing character of all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity; they all resemble him in this particular, " not being of the world, even as he was not of the world z." If then we would reign with Christ hereafter, we must resemble him now; and never cease to implore help from God, that the world and all its lusts may, in answer to our prayers, be put for ever under our feet.]
In conclusion I would say,
1 . Learn to form a right estimate of the world —
[It is, in fact, a wilderness, through which we are to pass to the promised land ; and we are but pilgrims passing through it, or sojourners taking up our residence in it for a few days at most. Whether we have a more or less gratifying accommo- dation in it, is a matter of small moment. We are going to our Father's house, where we shall possess all that our souls can wish ; and present things are only of importance as they advance or retard our meetness for our heavenly inheritance. The instant that we have arrived at our journey's end, we shall see what judgment we ought to have formed of the world, and every thing in it. Let us anticipate that judgment now; and we shall rise superior to the attractions of all created things, and to the solicitations of every unhallowed appetite — ]
2. Seek to have, in reference to it, " the same mind as was in Christ Jesus" —
[In asking for you a preservation from the snares of the world, he judged right. He wished not to abridge your hap- piness, but to promote it. And, if we call upon you to renounce the world, and all its lusts, we are not Cynics, as you are apt to imagine, but your best and truest friends. Even when all his own sufferings were coming upon him, the Saviour, forgetful of himself, implored this blessing for you. And if I were never to address you more, I would, with all earnestness, urge this duty on you, and implore this blessing on your
* Gal. i. 4. » Gal. vi. 14. x 1 John v. 5.
y 1 John v. 4. z ver. 14, 1(5.