Ver. I4. the 17th Chapter of St. JOHN. i 9>E SERMON XXII. JOHN XVII. 14- I have given them thy Word, and the World bath hated them, becaufe they are not of the World, even as I am not of the World. CMUST I had urged feveral Arguments on the behalf the Apoftles, their Intereft, his own Departure, their Danger in the World; this is the Ar- gument he now preffeth. Their Danger, becaufe of the Worlds ha- tred, is let forth by the occafion of it; their Office, I have given them thy Word; the Caufe of' it, They are not of the World; which is amplifi- ed by their conformity to the Patern and Example of Chrift, Even as I am vot of the World. So that we have here the Condition of the Saints in the World, and then their Conftitution and Temper. [ I have given them thy Word.] Partly, by external Revelation in his Miniftry du- ring Life. Partly, by inward Illumination, he had given them the Knowledg of it. John i6.27. re have loved me,. and have believed, that I came out from God. John 17. 6. I have manifefied thy Name to the Men which thou gavefI me out of the World. Partly, by Tradition or Commiffion, he had left the Word with them, not only that they might profefs it, but preach it to others. There is an Emphafis in Thy Word ; Chrift grounded his Plea with the Father upon it. Men are wont to refpelt thole that fuller for their Sake and Caule. [4nd the World bath. hated them.] By the World is meant, that Party which is-con- trary to Chrift's Kingdom ; they are fometimes called the Kingdom of Darknefr, becaufe the Devil is their Head and Chief; fometimes the World, becaufe that is their Aim; they are guided by the malicious Spirit of Satan, and acted by their own Ends and In- terefts. Briefly, they are called the World, either becaufe the greateft, the mote flou- rifhing part of Mankind are obftinate againit the Gofpel; or becaufe their whole Bent, their Way, their Savour, is of the World, they relilh nothing but the World, the wicked, unbelieving, obftinate part of ?the World. And it is faid, bath hated them ; hitherto in their Profeffton, they have had but fad experience of the World ; and in the Courfe of their future Miniftry they can expert no better. [ Becanfe they are not of the World.] Of the World ; that is, of that (train and fort of Men : as of the Devil, is to be fwayed by him. John 8. h4. re are of your Father the Devil ; and the Lufis of your Father ye will do. They are different from the World, in Spirit, in Worship, in Converfation. In Spirit, or in the frame of their Hearts : it Cor. 2. 12. °il om me have received, not the Spirit of the World, but the Spirit that it of God. There is a particular Genius that runneth out that way, they have other manner of Affehtions and Difpofitions. In Worfhip, they are to root out inveterate Superftitions, both among Jews and Gentiles. Now Men are tender of their old Clifton's and Traditions. Unconformity doth exafperate them, much more zealous oppofition againft.Traditions received from their Fathers. In Converfation, they are come out from among them, they are I-Ìeteroclites : t Pet. 4. 4. They think it fining that you run not with them to all excel of Riot, leaking evil of you. Their Courfe is a countermotion to the Fachions ofthe World; they have renounced worldly Defires and Practices. [Even
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