necessity be as opposite to ours as darkness is to light b. By forming a connexion with such persons, what can be expected but that we should be enticed to imitate their conduct? And though we commit no flagrant evil, we are assured, that while we are walking according to the course of this world, we walk after the will of Satan and not of God c.]
2. Its maxims and principles —
[According to the established maxims of the world, we should seek above all things the favour and esteem of men; we should avoid every thing that may make us appear sin- gular ; and on no account testify our disapprobation of any practice that is sanctioned by general custom. But how do such principles accord with the Holy Scriptures ? In them we are told that, if we make it our grand aim to please men, we cannot be the servants of Jesus Christ d: and, if we have attained that object, instead of congratulating ourselves upon our success, we have reason to tremble on account of the woe denounced against use. Instead of dreading a necessary singularity, we are required to shine as lights in a dark world f, and not only to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but faithfully to reprove themg. We are to be armed with a steady determination to live the rest of our time, not to the lusts of men, but to the will of God11.]
3. Its spirit and temper —
[In what does the spirit of the world consist? It consists altogether in self-seeking, self-pleasing, self-confidence, and self-complacency. Now can any thing be more abhorrent from a Christian state than suck a disposition as this ? We are not to be resting satisfied with present attainments, or studying how much we can please the flesh without forfeiting the favour of God ; but are rather to be pressing forwards towards perfection, without at all regarding the loss or pain we may be called to undergo in the prosecution of our duty1. How hateful a want of such a holy resolution is, may be seen in the reply which our Lord made to Peter, who would have dissuaded him from exposing himself to the trials he had predicted : " Get thee behind me Satan ; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of »*<?rek."]
Further light will be reflected on this subject by considering,
b 2 Cor. vi. 14—17. c Eph. ii. 2. d Gal. i. 10.
e' Luke vi. 26. f Phil. ii. 15. s Eph. v. 11.
h 1 Pet. iv. 2. » Acts xx. 24. and xxi. 13. k Matt. xvi. 23.