Gospel Conversation, Sermon 2
SERMON II.
JOHN, 18. 36.
Jeſus anſwered and ſaid, My Kingdom is not of this world.
MAny particulars I paſt over the laſt day briefly, which I told you would need ſome further explication. I'le give you ſome few things about that, & then proceed to Aplication of al▪
The Priviledges of this Kingdom of Chriſt they are not of this world. I'le name a principal one; and this is the priviledg of al that are under the Kingdom of Chriſt; That all buſineſſes, tranſactions between God and them, are in the Court of Chriſt the Mediator: They are not in the Court of exact & ſevere juſtice, but they are to be tried for their eternal eſtates, & for all they do, in the Court of Chriſt, in his Kingdom; which is a mighty priviledg the Saints have. As kingdoms have ſeveral priviledges: 'tis a greater priviledg to be tried in one kingdom than in another: All men and women in their natural eſtate, not under the kingdom of Chriſt, they are to be tried in the Court of Juſtice, i. e. the Court of Gods providential kingdom, and there they are either to be acquitted or condemn'd by the Law; that's the way of Gods proceedings towards thoſe that are under His providential kingdom, only to be dealt withal according to the Law. But al thoſe that are under the kingdom of Chriſt, have all their buſineſſes, in reference to God, tried in another Court, tried in the Court (as I may ſo call it) of the Goſpel, in the Judicature of Jeſus Chriſt, for Chriſt He is as Mediator to them, He is the Judge to paſs all ſentences concerning them: and the right underſtanding of this would much help in the point of Beleevers being chaſtiſed for ſin; it's true, they are not chaſtiſed by judgement out of the court of Law as other men are; but they are chaſtiſed by Chriſt that hath the Judicature committed to Him, and the Adminiſtration of all things, eſpecially concerning His Church and People, and by a ſentence from Him chaſtiſed; not by a ſentence from the Father, as He is the Judge of all fleſh proceeding according to the Law. This is the main thing which we ſpake to before. But yet there are divers other things.
2ly That all that are in Chriſts Kingdom, are Free-men, they are delivered from bondage: all that are out of this Kingdom are bondſlaves, they are under the prince of this world, (that is, the Devil) and in ſlavery unto him; they are all as vaſſals under the Law, in bondage, and have no other ſpirit but a ſpirit of bondage in them, they are ſlaves to ſin, they are under the curſe of the Law: But now being brought to the Kingdom of Chriſt, they are made free, they are free Denizons of Heaven.
3ly And then from hence follows in the third place: All that are in Chriſt's Kingdom, have the priviledg of a free-trade to Heaven, they have free traffick to Heaven: there is now a bleſſed intercourſe between Heaven and them, that they have by being ſubjects of this Kingdom: As we know the ſubjects of this Kingdom have many freedoms that forreigners have not, that thoſe that belong to another Kingdom have nothing to do with. So the ſubjects of Chriſts Kingdom have a freedom of coming into Gods preſence, of trading to the promiſed Land that others have not; others are caſt out of Gods ſight and cannot trade to Heaven ſo as beleevers do that are brought under the Kingdom of Chriſt.
4ly By vertue of this Kingdom they come to have right unto all the Ordinances of Chriſt: And only by this we come (I ſay) to have right unto them, ſo as to be our own. Indeed, Chriſt for the ſake of ſuch as are His Elect Ones, that He intends to bring into His Kingdom, He ſends forth His Word, the preaching of the Word unto them▪ but when they are brought into his Kingdom then they are under the Miniſtry of the Word in another way, Chriſt then is their great Paſtor and Shepherd, and ſo His Miniſters are in a more peculiar manner Paſtors & Shepherds unto them. And beſides, there are other Ordinances that they have nothing to do withal till they be brought into the Kingdom of Chriſt, namely, the ſeals of the Covenant, with ſome others that might be named: That's the great privledge of thoſe that are under the Kingdom of Chriſt, to have right to all Ordinances; Certainly all Saints and Beleevers, have right unto all, but they are to come in an orderly way to them.
5ly By being under the Kingdom of Chriſt, there is this Priviledge: Protection. As Kings ſhould be the protectors of their ſubjects: Jeſus Chriſt hath taken upon Him the protectors of their ſubjects: Jeſus Chriſts hath taken upon Him the protection of all ſuch as come under Him, all power in Heaven and Earth is given unto Chriſt, and it is al exerciſed for their protection, to deliver them from dangers bodily, and ſpiritual, to protect their ſouls, they are under Chriſts Kingly power for protection; when any temptation to ſin comes, they ſhould fly unto Chriſt as King, to ſhield them from their enemies, when their ſpiritual enemies come in like a floud, then the Spirit of Chriſt ſets up a ſtandard againſt them.
6ly They ſhall certainly have victory over all their enemies: This Kingdom ſhall never be ſhaken, let all the world conſpire what they will againſt it, the gates of Hel ſhall not prevail againſt it, no cunning deviſes, no ſubtil waies ſhall ever overcome this Kingdom, no, nor any one ſubject of this Kingdom. This is a priviledge beyond what is in the world. A Kingdom may preſerve its ſelf ſo as to continue a kingdom, but many ſubjects may be deſtroyed in the preſervation of it: but this is ſuch a kingdom as there ſhall never one ſubject be deſtroied in it, that is, Al the enemies ſhal never take off one ſubject from this kingdom; indeed they may take away their bodily lives; but that is but a transferring of them to the more glorious part of the kingdom that they ſhall attain to: Then may a ſubject of this kingdom be ſaid to be deſtroyed, when he ſhall be cut off from Chriſt and loſe the grace that he hath received: but none ſhall be thus deſtroyed, but ſhall be preſerved by Chriſt, and ſhall certainly overcome all enemies, both inward and outward. And that's a ſixt priviledge.
7ly By being in this Kingdom, Beleevers are made every one of them Kings: though they be ſubjects in ſome ſenſe unto Chriſt, yet Chriſt hath made them Kings and Prieſts unto God (ſo they are called in Scripture.) There's no kingdom where all the ſubjects are Kings; it is ſo here, Chriſt makes all that come under His kingdom to be Kings, and they have too (according to their Princely ſtate) the Angels to be their guard; as Kings have their guard where ever they go; ſo the pooreſt and meaneſt Beleever that is under this kingdom of Chriſt hath his guard of Angels whereſoever he goes; though it be a poor ſmokey hole or Cottage that he lives in, yet it is guarded by Angels, every night they keep the Door and watch about the Bed: Thus the Scripture tells us that the Angels are Miniſtring Spirits for Gods Elect.
8ly The benefit of this kingdom of Chriſt, It is Spiritual peace, and joy in the holy Ghoſt: So in Rom. 14. 17. The Kingdom of God conſiſts not in meat and drink, but in righteouſneſs, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghoſt; There's another manner of peace than the world gives. So Chriſt in John, 14. 17. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you. It's the note of a learned Interpreter ſpeaking of this place, I give not peace as the world gives; the world gives peace (ſaith he) by taking away afflictions from a troubled perſon; but Chriſt gives peace by taking away a troubled perſon from affliction His meaning is this; the worlds way to give peace is to take away trouble from us, but the way that Chriſt hath is to take the trouble of our hearts from our affliction; the world cannot give ſo long as the affliction continues, but Chriſt gives peace though the affliction doth continue; that's thus, Chriſt He takes off the troubleſomneſs of mens hearts from the affliction; the world takes off the affliction from the trouble of mens hearts: now this is a great deal better peace when the trouble of our hearts is taken away though the affliction continues, rather than when the affliction is taken away and trouble of heart continues. I give peace, not as the world gives peace, 'tis inward peace, the worlds is outward, the world takes away ſome trouble, but I take away the very root of all trouble; the branches are taken away by the peace of the world; that is, whereas you had not trading before, nor the freedom of your eſtates before, you ſhall have that now; but the root of all your trouble the world cannot take away, that is, ſin, but I take away ſin that is the root of all trouble. We may (through the bleſſing of God upon Armles, Parliament, we may) come to have outward peace, that is freedom from outward troubles; Oh but there may be vexation and trouble in our ſpirits in the mean time. But Chriſts peace is eſpecially in the conſcience and heart, within doors; we may have peace here mixed with abundance of ſin and wickedneſs: it may be procured in a ſinful way, or it may be the cauſe of much ſin; but my peace is a holy peace, it doth further holineſs whereſoever I give it, my peace is a laſting and a ſtable peace; peace here may be but for a few months, but my peace ſhall be eternally, I give peace not as the world, that is the fruit of the kingdom of Chriſt: So the truth is, though there be many outward afflictions attend the Kingdom of Chriſt, yet the Kingdom of Chriſt is alwaies in peace and in joy of the holy Ghoſt. That is a priviledge which we can never be crowned with but in the kingdom of Chriſt, as we can never enjoy peace but here, all the peace that mens conſciences have till they come under the kingdom of Chriſt it will turn to greater trouble, that peace they have and live looſly, not being ſubdued to the kingdom of Chriſt will turn to horror and miſery; and ſo the joy that there is in the world it will turn to ſorrow and vexation; 'tis proper to the kingdom of Chriſt to have joy in the holy Ghoſt; thou mayeſt have joy in thy cups, joy in thy diſhes, joy in thy mirth and wicked company, but 'tis proper to the kingdom of Chriſt to bring joy unſpeakable and glorious unto the ſoul; the ſoul never knows experimentally what the joy of the holy Ghoſt means, till it comes under the kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, it's the priviledge of the kingdom of Chriſt to bring ſpiritual peace which paſſeth all underſtanding, and joy in the holy Ghoſt.
Ninthly, This is a priviledg in the kingdom of Chriſt, That all that are in His Kingdom have right to all the gifts and graces of all the Saints in the world: Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephus, or Life, or Death, all is yours, for you are Chriſts, and Chriſt is Gods. They have (I ſay) right to all, all the gifts of all the Miniſters of the world, and the graces of all the Saints they work for good unto them.
Tenthly and laſtly, They are all Heirs of Chriſt with an immortal Crown of glory, that is laid upon Heaven for them. Thus Chriſts Kingdom is not of this world, the priviledges of it are beyond the worlds, which can only be ſeen by the eye of faith, for they are ſpiritual and glorious priviledges.
Queſt. If you ask me why it is that God the Father would not have His Son to have his kingdom in this world? Certainly God might have given to Chriſt all the Government of this world, might have made Him the great Emperor, to have rul'd in an external way, and all His Subjects to have been in pomp and glory here below; but God would not have the kingdom of His Son here in this world for theſe reaſons,
Anſ. Firſt, Becauſe that hereby He would confound the wiſdom of the world, and ſhew the vanity of all the things of this preſent world, and the folly of the hearts of men that are ſet upon the things of this world; we look upon theſe things as great things, but God hath ſhewed that he doth not look upon them as great matters, but as things that have little value and excellency in them, and therfore He would not have His Son to have His kingdom here of this world; ſurely if there were ſuch excellent things here as men dream of, then undoubtedly Chriſt ſhould have had His Kingdom of this world; but that God might confound all the glory and non-plus the wiſdom of this world, therefore he would go another way to work, God would ſo order things that He would fetch about the glory of his Name and thoſe great things that he did intend from all eternity, He would fetch them about in a way that ſhould be hidden from the eyes of the world, in a way that ſhould appear contemptible in the eyes of the world, and he would by this rebuke and ſhame all the pride, folly, and vanity of the world, there is no greater rebuke of the pride, folly, and vanity of the world than in my Text here, that ſaith, The Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt is not of this world.
Secondly, Becauſe the Lord delights ſo much in the exerciſe of the graces of His Spirit, the ſpiritual workings of the hearts of His Saints; there's nothing that is ab extra from God, that is more delightful to Him than the exerciſes of the graces of His Spirit in the hearts of His Saints, (excepting what is in the Perſon of Chriſt himſelf) nothing more pleaſing in all the works that ever God made in which He takes more pleaſure than in the exerciſe of faith, and of humility, and of patience, and the like; and the holineſs of His Saints. Now the leſs the Kingdom of Chriſt is of the world, the more bright and glorious do the graces of the Saints appear, the more do they come to be exerciſed; had the Saints a worldly glory and pomp here, their graces would not ſhine forth ſo eminent, there would not be ſuch a ſpiritual luſtre and ſhine upon them: but now that God may exerciſe, eſpecially the grace of faith, and humility, and patience, and ſelfdenial, and brotherly love which are ſo precious to Him; therefore God hath ſo ordered things that the Kingdom of His Son ſhould not be of this world, but it ſhould be ſpiritual; (it may be) you think it a ſad affliction that you have not thoſe comforts that you ſee others have in the world, you have not ſuch eſtates and bravery as others have, brave dwellings, coſtly furnitures, and fine cloaths as others have, and you cannot provide for your children as they do; I but is there the exerciſe of faith in God in the want of theſe things; the exerciſe of humility, ſelf-denial, of patience? know that theſe are more glorious things than if thou didſt ſit upon a Throne with a Crown of gold upon thy head and a Scepter in thy hand, and al the people proſtrating themſelves before thee, this were all but a childiſh vanity in compariſon of the exerciſe of the graces of Gods Spirit, thou haſt that that is more excellent in the eyes of God and of His Son, and in the eyes of the bleſſed Angels, far more excel, lent than theſe outward, pompous, glorious, glittering vanities that are here: & when thou findeſt by experience that the Kingdom of Chriſt is not of this world, Oh then think, that ſurely God delights much in the exerciſe of the graces of His Spirit in His Saints: And this is the reaſon why he would not have the kingdom of Chriſt to be of this world.
Thirdly and laſtly, Therefore He would not have it to be of this world, that hereafter when the Lord ſhall come to fetch out all his glory from thoſe things that ſeem to be the moſt contrary, that his power and wiſdom may be more glorious and appear more evidently, that his glory may be more conſpicuous: as certainly it will hereafter at the great Day when the iſſue of all the great deſigns that God had in ſending of Chriſt into the world, when the iſſue of all ſhall come and be accompliſht, then the Name of God will be ſo much the more honorable to all eternity, becauſe He hath wrought out ſuch glorious things, from that which did ſeem to the eye of fleſh to be ſo mean and contemptible.
APPLICATION.
But by way of Application; and that ſhall be built upon the conſideration of the point more generally; and upon the Reaſons that are named, why the Kingdom of Chriſt is not of this world.
From hence follow, thus much in the firſt place, That if the Kingdom of Chriſt be not of this world, then there is a happineſs beyond the things of this world to be had; that we muſt certainly conclude and determin: If we beleeve this point, That Chriſt Kingdom is not of this world, we muſt lay down this for a certain and infalible ground that we may build upon, That there is a happineſs to be attained unto that is beyond this world, for ſurely there is a good in the of Chriſt, there is ſomewhat beyond this world for the ſouls of the children of men to look after as their cheef good, as their happineſs; that's a confectory that follows from it. The Kingdom of Chriſt whatſoever it be, it's a glorious Kingdom, it is the Kingdom of His dear Son (as the Scripture ſpeaks) and therefore very glorious: And all the glory of the kingdom of Solomon, it was but to typifie out the glory of the Kingdom of Chriſt; now that is not of this world: therefore there is ſome glory beyond that of this world: and it is a good ſign of a ſpiritual eye and a ſpiritual heart, to be able to ſee an excellency and glory that is beyond this world; to be able to look higher and further than this world can: We think that all the good things that God hath to communicate to the children of men, ſhould be here on earth; but I beſeech you conſider of it: Can we think in our conſciences that all the good things that God hath to cōmunicate to ſuch as He loves ſhould be here in this world? Certainly, no. Conſider therefore that all the good things that God intends for his people are not of this world.
Firſt, It's called, An evil world. Truly it's no great matter, and we ſhould not account much that the Kingdom of Chriſt is not of this world, if we conſider theſe things:
Firſt, That this world it is an evil world. Gal. 4. We are delivered from this evil world.
Secondly, It's a world, that the Devil (in Scripture) is called the god of, and the prince of this world; 2 Cor. 4. 4. Whoſe eyes the god of this world hath blinded. Surely all the good things that God hath to communicate to His Saints, are not of this world, that is an evil world, that is a world that the very Devil is god of it (in ſcripture phraſe.)
Thirdly, A world all whoſe bravery and pomp and glory it is not of the Father. 1 John, 2. 16. you have an epitomy there of what the excellency of the world is; for ſaith he, All that is in the world, the luſts of the fleſh, luſts of the eyes, and the pride of life: Under theſe three heads are all things that the men of the world look upon as deſirable; either they are the luſts of the fleſh, the luſts of the eyes, or the pride of life: But ſaith he, All that is in the world, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Surely the chief things that God hath to communicate to His Saints, are not of the things of this world; for all that is in the world, is not of the Father, And wouldeſt not thou have the riches of the Father? 'Tis true, God is the Creator of all things, and hath the diſpoſe of all things; but that that the men of the world look upon as the excellent things that are here, they are not of the Father, they are none of the good things that God the Father hath to beſtow upon His children; and therefore ſurely, there is a happineſs beyond the things of this world. Oh my Brethren, that I could but ſo take off the hearts of people by this point from the things of this world, as to make them look after the Kingdom of Chriſt that is not of this world; for you ſee that all that is here in the world, the Scripture ſaith, it is not of the Father.
Fourthly, As all the excellent things are not of the Father, ſo the truth is, all the glory that is in the world it is but darkneſs, it is a dungeon of darkneſs to a ſpiritual eye: As the Bats can ſee in the night; ſo the men of the world they think they ſee ſome glittering here in the world; but in the language of Scripture, and to ſpiritual hearts, it is but darkneſs: Hence the Apoſtle Eph. 6. 12. For we wreſtle not againſt fleſh and blood, but againſt principalities and powers, againſt the rulers of the darkneſs of this world. Rulers of the darkneſs of this world are the unclean ſpirits, ſpiritual wickedneſſes; the Devils are the Rulers of the darkneſs of this world, this world it hath a darkneſs in it, and therefore ſurely, the chief good things that God hath to beſtow upon the Saints, they are things that are beyond this world.
Fifthly, The world knows not God, John, 17▪ 25. The world is that that Chriſt ſaith, doth not know the Father; Oh, righteous Father, the world hath not known thee. Take men that are the wiſeſt of the world, and have all the wiſdom that this world can afford, it will not help them to the knowledge of the Father, the world knows not thoſe excellent and glorious things that are of the Father.
Sixthly, The world it lies in wickedneſs, 1 John, 5. 19. (as ſometimes I have opened that Scripture to you) Juſt as you ſee in a common ſhore, a carion, a dead dog that lies over head and ears in the mire or mud in a common ſhore, and in its own filthineſs: ſo the whole world lies in wickedneſs, the wickedneſs of the world is like the common ſhore, in wch there is nothing but filth and dirt; and the world as a dead carion lies in its own pollutions; ſurely, then there are other things that God hath to communicate to his Saints than the things of this world: and we ſhould not be offended though the Kingdom of Chriſt be not of this world.
Seventhly, The world it paſſeth away with the luſts of it, 1 John, 2. 17. it is a notable Scripture for that: And the world paſſeth away, and the luſts thereof; but he that doth the will of God, abideth for ever, (ſpeaking before of what was the glory of the world) and it paſſeth away with the luſts thereof. Mark, Not only the things of the world paſſeaway, but the very luſts to thoſe things paſſeth away: As now, men and women who have their healths, and live bravely for a while, Oh! how greedy are they for the contents of this world? how do they long and deſire that they might have ſuch a merry meeting with ſuch friends, and ſuch cheer, and ſuch commings in; They make proviſion for the fleſh, to fulfil the luſts thereof. But now (mark) within a little while, not only theſe comforts ſhall be taken from them, but the very luſts of them ſhall paſſe away; that is, they ſhal have no mind in the world to them: Take a poor man that was wont to long for theſe things, when he lieth upon his ſick bed, at the point of death, now he looks upon theſe things as thoſe things that are dry leaves, he hath no mind to them, not ſo much as a phanſie after theſe things, all the varniſh of the things of the world are gone in his eyes, he taſts them no more than the white of an eg, yea, the deſire of his heart is dead to them: as now, a man that luſted after drink, when his deſire is ſatisfied, the very deſire after it is gon; and one that liv'd in gluttony, when his body is a little diſtempered, the very luſts therof paſſeth away: ſurely there are other things that God hath for his people than the things of this world.
Eightly, There muſt be ſomwhat elſe beſides the things of this world: for Chriſt Himſelf is not of this world, John, 8. 23. Are all the good things that the Father hath to cōmunicate of this world, and not Chriſt Himſelf of this world? Let me tell you, Chriſt is the greateſt gift that ever was given, or poſſibly could be received, and yet Chriſt is not of this world; therefore there is ſomwhat elſe beſides the things of this world, that God hath for ſome of the children of men, that He intends good unto.
Ninthly, The Saints are ſaid, not to be of this world, Joh. 15. 19. & 17. 14. If they be not of this world, then their happineſs is not here, God hath other happineſs for them than that which is here.
Tenthly, The Scripture makes it to be a ſign of a child of wrath that he walks according to the courſe of this world (in 2 Joh. 2.) this is enough to deſcribe a child of wrath.
Eleventhly, It's made a ſign of one that is an enemy to God; and that's hateful before God, that is a lover of this world, Jam. 4. 4. And 1 Joh. 2. 15. He that loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; and the friendſhip of the world is enmity to God (ſaith the Holy Ghoſt in thoſe two Scriptures▪) If ſo be that in the world there were the ſpecial things that God hath to communicate to the Children of men; certainly then God would have his people to love the world, He would ſay, Love theſe things, for theſe are the fruits of my favor and love, theſe are part of the riches that I have to communicate to thoſe that I intend good to; and therefore delight in theſe, expatiate your heart in theſe: Oh me! ſaith the holy Ghoſt, whoſoever loves the world is an enemy to God. And, if the love of the world be in you, the love of the Father is not in you: ſurely then here are not the things that God intends for the children of men.
Twelfthly, The world is that that ſhall be condemned: 1 Cor. 11. 32. That ye may not be condemned with the world▪ that notes that God intends to condemn this whol world, all theſe things are under the ſentence of death, and all the men of the world are condemned before God; and therefore theſe are not the things that men ſhould ſo much look after to make them happy.
Thirteenthly, Take all the world together; the Scripture ſpeaks by way of ſuppoſition, That a man may gain the whol world, and yet his ſoul be loſt for ever; If one man could get all the world in to his poſſeſſion and thereby loſe his ſoul, it would be an ill bargain; the world then hath no ſuch excellency in it as we ſhould place our happineſs in it; God hath ſomething elſe for His people than theſe things that are at the beſt under Moon-vanities.
Fourteenthly, If Chriſts Kingdom is not of this world; then certainly thoſe that are of the world are not of His Kingdom; for theſe two cannot ſtand together, that Chriſts Kingdom ſhould not be of this world, and yet that theſe that are of the world ſhould be of his Kingdom, if ſuch as are of the world are none of his kingdom, then certainly a worldly man or woman is not of the kingdom of Chriſt, Chriſt owns them not as under His kingdom, they are Vagabonds and Runnagates not under the protection of Jeſus Chriſt, not partakers of any priviledg of Jeſus Chriſt.
Queſt▪ You will ſay to me, How ſhould one know when a man is a man of this world? The Scripture makes a plain diſtinction of ſome that are of this world, and ſome not; the beſt of all you will ſay they have hearts worldly enough, and they deſire to have the comforts of this world as well as others? well, though there are ſome, yet we had need look to our ſelves; to examine whether we be of the world yea or no, for there lies thus much upon it, that if we be of the world we are not of the kingdom of Chriſt; now I would give you but theſe three notes of a man of the world.
Anſw. The firſt is this, One that is a man of the world is ſuch an one as could be content if God would let him live here in this world, and enjoy what he doth, he would be content for to live here for ever, and could be ſatisfied though he never enjoyed any thing from God but what he hath received here, if he might alwaies bold it. Here's an evident Argument of a man of the world, I mean ſuch a man as hath health of body in this world, he hath for outwards as much as the world can afford any man, that for the properneſs of his body, his comlineſs, his health, he hath as much as the world can give, he hath convenient dwelling, with all accommodations belonging thereunto, and he hath the comings in of the world as much as his heart can deſire, he hath his wife and children about him, in which he hath a great deal of delight and content; now, I would but put it to this man, What ſayeſt thou? would not this ſatisfie thy heart if thou mighteſt alwaies be here, alwaies have thy houſe, and gardens, and walks, and theſe comings in that thou haſt now, that thou mighteſt fare deliciouſly every day, and have the ſweet and fat of the world, would it not ſatisfie thy ſoul, though God ſhould never give thee any thing elſe but this?
I beſeech you, in your own thoughts, anſwer even to God this queſtion, and ſeriouſly look into your hearts, for you may know very much of your hearts upon the anſwer to this queſtion, you may come to know what is like to become of you for ever, even from the anſwer that your conſciences would give to this queſtion: That man or woman whoſe conſcience tels them that this would ſatisfie, then we may conclude, that ſurely that man or woman is of this world; becauſe the things of this world would be enough for his portion: But now take a man or woman that is choſen out of this world, that is of the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, unto whom the Lord hath made known the things of another world and the excellencies of Jeſus Chriſt, and ſuch a one though it had ten thouſand times more than it hath, though it had what poſſibly can be imagined, it would ſay, Lord, it's true, I am unworthy of the leaſt crum of bread that I eat, or of the leaſt drop of water, but yet it is not all the world, nor ten thouſand worlds can ſatisfie my ſoul, for the portion of it, It is nothing but thy ſelf, the unſearchable riches in Jeſus Chriſt, thoſe bleſſed things that thou haſt revealed in that glorious kingdom of thy Son, it's only that that can ſatisfie my ſoul for the portion of it; and if thou ſhouldeſt ſay, well, thou ſhalt have all the things in this world for thy portion and enjoy them for ever; I ſhould account my ſelf in a miſerable condition, for thou haſt revealed better and higher things to my ſoul; this would be the anſwer of one that is choſen out of the world that hath a gracious heart and is brought under the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt.
2. A ſecond note that I would give to know, whether a man be a man of this world or no, is this, A man of this world is one that accounts the poſſeſſions of worldly comforts, to be greater rices than any riches conteined in the promiſes; that looks upon the comforts of this world as real things, they have them in poſſeſſion: But looks upon the promiſe, as that that hath but a notion in it, as if there were no ſuch reality and excellency in the things of the promiſe; a man that dares not truſt God upon his word upon his promiſe without ſeeing in a way of reaſon or ſence how things may come in unto him for ſupply from the things of this world; this is a man of the world, he hath a promiſe, but things go very ill with him in reſpect of his outward eſtate, in reſpect of whatſoever by ſence or reaſon he is able to diſcern, he looks upon himſelf as miſerable, if indeed God would give him in the things of the world in real poſſeſſion, that would ſatisfie him, but not the promiſe: This is an evidence of a worldly heart, that regards more the poſſeſſion of the things of the world than the promiſe of God for proviſion for him; as for promiſes, he thinks that that man is but in a ſad condition, that hath nothing but bare promiſes to live upon; here's a worldly heart that hath low and mean thoughts of the promiſes. But now, one who is taken out of this world, and tranſlated into the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, regards more to have a promiſe to live upon, than to have poſſeſſions to live upon: Promiſes in the word are greater and more real things to that ſoul than any Bills or Bonds from men can be, he can live better upon a Promiſe, than upon Bils, or Bonds, or Leaſes, or any ſuch things in the world: Haſt thou found ſuch a principle within thee, that canſt cloſe with the promiſe, and canſt bleſs thy ſelf in the promiſes, I have title to, and an intereſt in many promiſes in the Book of God, for life and godlineſs are more to me than all the treaſures of Egypt, and though I do not enjoy ſo much in the hand as others, yet my heart hath enough, becauſe it is poſſeſt by Chriſt, in whom all the promiſes are Yea, and Amen; that is, ſure and infallible. God is faithful who hath promiſed; this is an argument that thou art taken out of the world, and taken into the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt; but otherwiſe, thou that canſt not truſt God for thy outward eſtate, body and ſoul upon a promiſe, this is an evidence of one that hath his heart ſet on the world.
3 A third ſign of a man of this world, is this, A man of the world bleſſes thoſe that are like himſelf, looks upon and meaſures the happineſs or miſery of other men, according to what they do enjoy, or according to what they do enjoy in this world. They call the proud, happy; I mean by this they meaſure the happineſs of other men, according to what they have of the world, and think that the meer enjoying of worldly accommodations is enough to make men happy, notwithſtanding they ſee them to be very wicked and ſinful, yet ſo long as they flouriſh as a green bay tree, yet rejoyce in them and with them, yea, get themſelves in the midſt of the guilt that is upon them, when conſcience (as a woolf in their boſom) flyes in their faces, yet they can bleſſe themſelves in the enjoyment of outward comforts, and ſet that againſt any trouble of mind whatſoever, as if ſo be it were enough to make up their comforts: I have been at ſuch a place, and contracted ſuch guiltineſs upon my ſoul, committed ſuch ſins, Oh! what ſhall comfort me now? well, he comes home, and ſees all wel about him, his houſe furniſhed, his table ſpread, means coming in as a floud, and this quiets him: here's a worldly heart: whereas were the heart taken off from the world, the poſſeſſion of al under Chriſt would never calm a conſcience that hath any guilt upon it; when I have contracted any guilt upon my ſoul, although I ſee all well about me, Oh! till I have an aſſurance from the Holy Ghoſt the Witneſs of the Spirit, that the guilt of my ſin is waſht away in the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, what wil all theſe do me good? I have theſe and theſe comforts, Oh! but I have an unclean conſcience, a leprous ſoul: Doeſt thou ſet the good things here to countervail the evil of ſin? Certainly, thou art a man of the world, thy name is written in the earth▪ thou art but living duſt and aſhes at the beſt. And the world is like to be the only portion of thy ſoul, thou art a ſtranger to the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt. That's a ſecond Uſe.
Ʋſe 3. The third Uſe ſhould have been this: Here we ſee the main thing that doth hinder people from the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt: What is that which keeps off men from coming under the Scepter of this King of Saints, from ſubjecting themſelves to His Kingdom? Certainly, this point ſhews it cleerly, His Kingdom is not of this world, were the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt of this world, then people would flock into it, Who would not joyn in ſuch a Kingdom and be a member therof, where he could have worldly glory and pomp and riches and bravery; but now becauſe it is not of this world, therefore they ſlight it: As I remember we reade in the Goſpel of Herod, that when he heard of the great Miracles that Chriſt wrought, Herod ſent for Chriſt, and he longed a great while to ſee Jeſus Chriſt, but when Chriſt came, and he ſaw Him a poor, mean, contemptible man to the outward eye, he thought to have ſeen him to have done ſuch and ſuch great things, and to have been ſuch a man as not the like upon the earth. But Chriſt contemn'd Herod as much as Herod contemn'd Him, and Chriſt would not ſhew his glory before Herod, but appeared in his outward meaneſs, and the text ſaith, Herod ſet Him at naught, he ſet Him at naught, when he ſaw him ſo outward contemptible: And ſo it is reported of the Roman Emperors, that hearing that Chriſt ſhould be the King of the Jews, and that out of Davids ſtock there ſhould come a King of the Jews, they ſought to deſtroy all of that family that they could find out, and all the Tribe of Judah: But afterward, when they found out ſome that were of the Kindred of Jeſus Chriſt, and ſaw that they were poor laboring men, that labored with their hands to eat their bread by the ſweat of their brows, they ſet them at naught and contemn'd them; certainly, this is the great offence to the world, that the Kingdom of Chriſt is not of the world, and as Chriſt ſaith, Wo to the world, becauſe of offences▪ ſo wo to the world becauſe of this great offence, Chriſts Kingdom being ſo ſpiritual, hence it is that the world receives Him not, in 1. John, 10. And ſo in John, 14. 17. Even the ſpirit of truth whom the world cannot receive: Mark, the world cannot receive the ſpirit of Truth, the world receives not Chriſt, and it cannot receive the ſpirit of Truth. If you ſpeak of the world to men, then they ſavor of thoſe things, come to a man and tell him of a good bargain on the Exchange, he will liſten to you, and remember what you ſay, but come and ſpeak to him of the great things of the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, of the glorious priviledges of that kingdom, only there's a ſound in the air, and it paſſeth away, and takes no impreſſion at all on the heart of one that is carnal, 1 John, 4. 5. there you have this expreſt fully, the very guize and way of a carnal heart, They (ſaith the text) are of the world, therefore ſpeak they of the world: and the world heareth them: thoſe that are of the world, they ſpeak of the world, and diſcourſe of the world, and ſavor the things of the world, and the world heareth them; but now, let a man come and tell them of things that are heavenly, of a goodly Pearl, of Jeſus Chriſt, they ſavor not thoſe things; and they hear them not: Oh! 'tis from hence that men come not into the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, becauſe it is not of this world. What's the reaſon that there are more comes into the Kingdom of Antichriſt, than into the Kingdom of Chriſt? Revel. 13. 3. The whol world wandered after the beaſt, ſaith the text, becauſe they are of the world, and Antichriſt doth ſet up a worldly kingdom inſtead of Chriſts kingdom, and men that are of the world they flock after Antichriſt, and hence it was, that your great rich men in places where the Goſpel hath not been, they were Papiſts, or Popiſhly affected, ſo that therefore the Papiſts make outward proſperity to be one badge or ſign of the true Church; hence it is that Popery is ſo ſutable to worldly hearts, and the holy Ghoſt propheſied before hand, that the whol world ſhould follow Antichriſt, only here and there a few poor ones Jeſus Chriſt chuſes out of this world to follow him, for His Kingdom is not of this world.
One Particular more, in a word, ſeeing the Kingdom of Chriſt is not of the world, then a worldly heart is the moſt unbeſeeming thing in one that profeſſeth himſelf to be a Chriſtian, of any thing that can be in the world: If Chriſts Kingdom be not there, certainly thy heart ſhould not be there: Thou that profeſſeſt thy ſelf to be of the Kingdom of Chriſt, which is ſpiritual and heavenly, and yet thou a worldly earthly heart, I ſay, it is the moſt unbeſeeming thing that poſſibly can be: what, for a Profeſſor of Religion to have an earthly, covetous worldly heart?
By that that I have already ſpoken in ſhewing the vanity and the evil of the world, and the great evil of loving the world were enough to ſtrengthen this uſe; but now that that I intended ſhould have been to ſpeakeſp, ecially to thoſe that are Chriſtians, that have hopes that God hath made them partakers of Jeſus Chriſt, and would be loth to loſe their hopes in the good things of the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt for 10000. worlds, & yet there doth remain much worldlineſs in their hearts to this day, ſurely, this not beſeeming one of the profeſſion that thou makeſt, it is no honor unto thy King, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; worldly Profeſſors, they are great diſhonors to the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt; when there ſhall appear no difference between thoſe that we account to be men of the world, and ſuch as we hope are choſen out of the world; Oh! how is Chriſt diſhonored by this? Look but upon the lives of Chriſtians that profeſs Religion, and one would think that the Kingdom of Chriſt were a Kingdom of this world rather than any thing elſe, for I ſay, to outward appearance, though it may be Chriſt may ſee ſome integrity within the heart, yet to outward appearance there is even almoſt no difference between them and the men of the world.
It doth become Chriſtians to live ſo in their whol courſe, as to make it appear that they are men and women above the world, whoſe Converſations are in Heaven, that they do beleeve the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt that is not of this world.