nominal Christian is of this world : and the real Christian is not of this world, nor has any desire to be of it : for he knows, that even " to desire its friendship, is to be an avowed enemy of GodV]
2. A rule, whereby to regulate our conduct —
[" We must be dead unto the world," even as our Lord himself was. And does this appear unreasonable, or imprac- ticable ? Let any one imagine a number of angels, sent down from heaven, to occupy different stations in the world for a season : how would they conduct themselves ? They would take each his station, whether it were to rule a kingdom, or to sweep the streets. They would look down with contempt upon all the vanities of the world; and would stand at the remotest distance from its contagion. They would be intent only on serving God in their respective places, that they might be approved by him when they should be called to give up their account. Now, what should hinder us from considering ourselves in this precise point of view ? True, we have cor- ruptions, which the angels have not : but these corruptions are to be mortified, and not indulged : and though our duty is rendered the more difficult by means of them, it is not a whit altered. Nor need we despair of attaining at least some measure of victory over the world ; because the Spirit within us has always this bearing ; and because the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we believe, has said, " My grace shall be sufficient for thee." This, then, I would recommend to every regenerate soul; " Love not the world, nor any thing that is in the world y :" but let the same mind be in you as was in Christ Jesus, and endeavour in all things to " walk as he walked2."]
x Jam. iv. 4. the Greek, y 1 John ii. 15, 16. z 1 John ii. 6.