and we " must follow his steps." In the world we are, and must be : but of the world we must not be, either in our spirit or our conduct. If we will be his followers indeed, we must " not be of the world, even as he was not of the worldV]
In this subject we may clearly see,
1. How few experience the full benefits of Christ's redemption !
[The light of Christianity has certainly raised the tone of morals, where its precepts are heard : but a complete confor- mity to the Christian code is rarely seen. Where do we find persons living according to the pattern of Christ and his Apostles ? Where does the cross of Christ so operate, that they who look to it regard the world as a crucified object, or as a person that was himself crucified would regard it1? This is a feeling utterly unknown, except amongst a few ; who, on that very account, are despised and hated by the whole world™. The truth is, that Christians in general differ- very little from either Jews or Heathens. Christianity occupies their heads ; but heathenism their hearts. They pretend to have faith : but, as for " the faith that overcomes the world," they know nothing about itn. Their whole life, instead of being occupied in a progressive transformation of the soul after the Divine image, is one continued state of conformity to the world0: and, instead of regarding "the friendship of the world" as a decisive proof of their "enmity against God," they affect it, they seek it, they glory in itp. I appeal to all, whether these observations be not true; and whether those who are " dead to the world" be not " as signs and wonders" in our day ? Know, however, that they, and they only, are right ; and that all the knowledge, or all the experience, that leaves us short of this, is but learned ignorance, and specious delusion. " The whole world lieth in wickedness :" and " they who are of God" come out of it, even as Lot did out of Sodom q. " If we love the world, the love of the Father is not in usr."]
2. How blessed is the effect of real Christianity upon the soul —
[It emancipates us from the sorest bondage ; and brings us into a state of liberty and peace. The votaries of this world, see with what cares they are harassed, with what dis-
k Johnxvii. 14—16. > Gal. vi. 14. "» John xv. 19.
n 1 John v. 4, 5. ° Rom. xii. 2.
p Jam. iv. 4. See the amazing strengtli of the original ftovX)]6rj KuQioTarat : the very inclination constitutes a man an enemy to God. i 1 John v. 19. » 1 John ii. 15, 16.