V er.14. the 17th Chapter of St. JOHN. 207 themfelves in Meat, and Drink, and the Sports and Glory of the World. Nòw this is quite contrary to the Example of Chrift, a Difpofition that feeketh to make the Life and Death of Chrift of none effeêt. Chrift came from Heaven to Earth, to fetch us to Heaven; if thou cleaveft to the World, Chrift's coming is in vain ; he lived in a poor Eftate, to teach us to defpife the World ; his Life was a Sermon of Mortification; he died, to deliver us from the prefent World ; he attended, that vve might follow him with our Hearts while we live here. 2. The Courage of Chriffs Example. He was not for the íluthor of that Age: John 8. 23. re are from Beneath, I am from Above ; ye are of this World, I am not of this World. He fpeaketh to the carnal Jews, that looked for a Pompous Mfiah, that should maintain their Worship and State, and deliver them from the Roman Yoke and Servitude. Chrift was not a Meíah for their turn ; if Chrift had complied with their Humors, he had been more generally received. So a Chrif#ian'eCourage is a Counter- motion to the Fashions and Humors of the Age. We mull not be afraid to be fingu- lar in Holinefs : So was Chrift, Aar 2. 40. Same your felves from this untoward Gene- ration ; not only in purpofe and thought of Heart, but eìcternally in courfe of Lift. When Men are afraid to eftrange themfelves from the corrupt and carnal Courses of the World that are in fashion, they do not write after Chrift's Copy. What Father would endure his Son should be intimate with his Enemies, and fythbolize with them in Pratice and Converfation? Therefore you mutt look to this, you are in danger. Chrift's Example is only left upon Record, and the World's Example is before your .Eyes; living Examples work much, and taint infenfibly. The Prophet complained, Ira. 6. 5. Wo is one, for I ant undone, becaufe I am a Man of unclean Lip1, and I dwell in the midfi of a People of unclean Lips. An eftrangement in courfe of Life, will draw trouble upon you; but Perfecutionis not as bad as Hell, nor is Man's Wrath to be feared as much as God's Judgments. Carnal Men may make great 'Profeffron of the Name of Chrift, but they humour the World. t John 4. 5. They are of the World, therefore fpeak they of the World, and the World heareththem 5 they comply to humor the Carnal World in their inveterate Css toms and Superftitions. vree 2. To prefs Chrifcians not' to conform to the World. It is Patio Exhortation, Rom. 12. 2. pt l eu,ls o,a*n9t, be not conformed to the World. It is a fad thing, when Chriftians are calf into the World's Stamp and Mould, to fymbolize with them in'Pta- tices and Affe&ions. Two things you dhould take heed of,- The World's Spirit, and the World's Courfs and Pratices. Firfi The World's Spirit. A Man is Good or Evil, according to the difpolìtion of his Heart. Phil. 3. r9. They mind earthly things. The Apoftle loth not defcribe Carnal Men there by any notorious fcandalous Sin, but by the inward frame of the Spirit. This is molt odious in the Eyes of God ; the Carnal Converfation is an efleét of a Carnal frame of Spirit ; first, Men mind Earthly Things, and then in time they come to hate the Gospel, and to fymbolize with the World in Pra &ices. 2 Tam. 4. to. Densas bath forfaken us, having loved this prefent World. James 4. 4. l'e Adulterers, and Adultereff es, know ye not that the friendjhip of the World is enmity with God? .Whafoever therefore will be a Friend of the World, is the Enemy of God. Now the Frame of the Heart may be known ; r. By theworking of the Thoughts, Counfels, and Deliberations. Therefore ive should obferve what we think of, and meditate moti upon. Inventions ferve Affecti- on. As the Heart is, fo are the Thoughts and Counfels: A worldly Man is àlways thinking of the World, and framing endlefs Projets, how to grow great and high. Therefore it is faid, 2 Pet. 2. i4. They have an Heart exercrfed with covetous Prafiices; that is, always plotting how to bring the'World into their Net. As the Apostle would have Timothy to sexeroife himfelf unto Godlinefs, s Tim. 4. 7. that is, to be much in con - ftilting and contriving how to carry on-the Holy Life with moti advantage : So their Hearts are exercifed with eavetaus Praaices; that is,with worldly Purpofes and Thoughts. All Sins do more or lets discover themilves by the Thoughts ; for a Man will deliberate to accomplish that which he aimeth at :, and chiefly, VVorldlinefs occupieth the Thoughts, for iris a ferious Madnefs, full of carking, and caring, and vain Projets. VVhen our Saviour would reprefent a VVorls ling, 'he bringeth him in muting, Luke 12. 17, 18. And he thought with himfelf, faying, I will do obres and thus, s, ;xxoyflera, Verbum enirè appofitum, faith Beza, for a worldly Man is always framing Dialogues within
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