of the world which lieth in wickedness : we must be " crucified to the world, and the world must be crucified to us''." " All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life," must be abandoned as objects of indif- ference, as objects of abhorrence. The things that are dearest to flesh and blood, if they stand at all in competition with Christ, are to be hated and forsaken. Our former companions, if they will not travel with us in the heavenly road, are to be left behind ; for " what communion hath light with darkness, or a believer with an unbeliever? Wherefore, saith God, come out from among them, and be separate*^.*' Even father and mother, and wife and children, yea, and our own lives also, are to be of no account with us^, if they interfere with our duty to God, or retard the execution of his commands.]
3. We must submit to all indignities, that we may- resemble Christ —
[This is the principal point to which the text refers. Jesus, when carrying his cross from the city to Mount Calvary, was an object of universal execration. Thus, in a measure, must we also be, if we will be his disciples. The world will hate, revile, and persecute us, as soon as ever we become his faithful adherents. " If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, so will they those of his household." But we must not be deterred from our duty by these things : we must " follow our Lord without the camp, not only bearing his reproach," but esteeming it our riches^, and rejoicing that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for his sake'\ He has told us beforehand, that " in the world we shall have tribula- tion," and that, in proof of our attachment to him, we must " take up our cross daily and follow him." Expecting this therefore, we must " count the cost ;" that, if we be treated " as the filth of the world and the ofF-scouring of all things," we may, like him, " endure the cross and despise the shame*." Nor should it ever seem hard to us to go in the path which he has trodden before us. On the contrary, to be conformed to him should be our highest ambition: "for if we suffer with him for a time, we shall reign also with him'^" in glory for evermore.]
d Gal. vi. 14. e 2 Cor. vi. 15, 17. ^ Luke xiv. 26.
g Heb. xi. 26. »» Acts v. 41. * Heb. xii. 2.
'<^ 2 Tim. ii. 12.