Our blessed Lord himself has fully determined this point, in these words, “They are not of this world, as I am not of this world.” This is the state of christianity with regard to this world. If you are not thus out of and contrary to the world, you want the distinguishing mark of christianity: You do not belong to Christ, but by being out of the world as he was out of it.
We may deceive ourselves, if we please, with vain and softening comments upon these words; but they are and will be understood in their first simplicity and plainness, by every one who reads them in the same spirit that our blessed Lord spoke them. And to understand them in any lower and less significant meaning, is to let carnal wisdom explain away that doctrine, by which itself was to be destroyed.
But notwithstanding the clearness and plainness of these doctrines, which teach us thus to renounce the world, yet what a great part of christians do live and die slaves to the customs and temper of the world.
How many people swell with pride and vanity for such things as they would not know how to value at all? but that they are admired in the world.
Would a man take ten years more drudgery in business to add two horses more to his coach, but that he knows, the world most of all admires a coach and six?
To abound in wealth, to have fine houses and rich cloaths, to be attended with splendor and equipage, to be beautiful in our persons, to have titles of dignity, to be above our fellow-creatures, to command the bows and obeisance of other people, to be looked on with admiration, to pursue our enemies with revenge, to subdue all that oppose us, to set ourselves in as much splendor as we can, to live highly and magnificently, to eat and drink, and delight ourselves in the most costly manner; these are the great, the honourable, the desirable things, to which the spirit of the world turns the eyes of all people; and many a one is afraid of standing still, and not engaging in the pursuit of these things, lest the same world should take him for a fool.
Many a man would often drop a resentment, and forgive an affront, but that he is afraid the world would not forgive him.
How many would practice christian temperance and sobriety in its utmost extent, were it not for the censure which the world passes upon such a life?
Thus do the impressions which we have received from living in the world enslave our minds, so that we dare not attempt to be eminent in the sight of God, and holy angels, for fear of being little in the eyes of the world.
You will perhaps say, that the world is now become christian, at least that part of it where we live; and therefore the world is not now to be considered in that state of opposition to christianity, as when it was heathen.