Contentment Leading a Christian, Treatise 1 · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII. Of the worlds hatred, and contentment in it.
THe third sort of spirituall calamities Grounds of contentment in the worlds hatred.are from the world. I call them so, though in themselves they be externall, for that the cause is internall, namely, the profession of Christ, and walking in the light, which the darknesse of the world cannot abide, but loadeth faithfull Christians with 1 hatred, … contempt, 3 persecution for Christs sake.
Against the hatred of the world be fenced thus.
1 Christ our Lord was hated to 1the death, in the world, and by it, whereby he comforteth his Disciples and us, Ioh. 15. 18. If the world hate you, it hated me before you: it is enough that the servant be in as much request as the Master. Nay, there never was member of this Head, but herein lesse or more it was conformable to him; that all the Israel of God may take up that complaint, Psal. 129. 1. They have oftentimes afflicted me from my youth up, may Israel say, they have oftentimes …fflicted mee from my youth up. So then, by this hatred thou art the liker to Christ, and meeter for God.
2 The cause of the worlds hatred 2makes it more easily borne. It hateth God, because hee is the Author of truth: it hateth Christ, because hee is a witnesse of truth: it hateth his members, because they testifie against the worlds wickednesse, as himselfe did, Iohn 7. 7. the world hateth me, because I testifie of it, that her works are evill: and 1 Pet. 4. 4. therfore they hate you, because ye run not with them to the same excesse of riot. What hurt hath God or Christ done to the world, to be so hated? or else true Christians?
3 How can a Christian make 3other account, then to have the worlds hatred, seeing Christ hath chosen him out of the world, Iohn 15. 19. therefore the world hateth you, and loveth but her owne? And they must professe hatred to the world in such hostile sort, as they must either renounce amity with it, or be at enmity with God, …am. 4. 4. and 1 Ioh. 2. 15. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Is it not a folly for him to make account of the worlds friendship, who in his entrance into Christianity by Baptisme makes solemne profession to renounce the world, & the vain pomp and glory of it, and to abide a faithfull souldier under the Standart of Christ against it to his lives end? If a man now actuate his profession, and not like a runnagate Souldier (as too many doe) steale out of Christs Campe, must not hee contentedly beare the displeasure of the world?
4 A Christian knowes, that God will take his part against the 4world, being his enemy also. I will blesse them that blesse thee, and curse them that curse thee, Gen. 12. 3. Consider the examples of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, of the accusers of Daniel, of the enemies of Daniels fellowes, and other: c. 6. 25. and 3. 22. Hence is it, that we have assured hope of victory and good successe; seeing Christ hath conquered the worlds hatred for us, Ioh. 16. 33. In the world ye shall have affliction: but be of good comfort, I have overcome the world. If we have faith, that 1 Iohn 5. 4.i… our victory: for Christ gave himselfe to deliver us from this present evill world.5 Nemo potest perfectè diligere qu… vocamur, nisi …derit …de revocamur. Aug.
5 It is good for a Christian to be hated of the world for well-doing. First, for the triall of his sincerity, whether he will hold out with Christ. Secondly, to weane him from the world, and lift up his affections to heaven; whereas otherwise he is hardly plucked from the breasts of it. Thirdly, to fence against many alluring temptations. Is it possible to have familiar conversation with a wanton Harlot, and not be inveigled with her bands and snares? The smiles of an enemie are worse then the wounds of a friend. Were we friends with the world, we should walke together; which is not safe, seeing the whole world lyeth in wickednesse. Fourthly, it forceth the Christian to get and keepe God his friend, the onelyonly shield against the worlds hatred: as Abraham was called the friend of God, Iam. …. 23. and, saith Christ (Luke 12. 4.) I speake to you my friends. And, beside the helpe, what an honour is this in our way? Fiftly, it is a testimony, and spurre to him in goodnesse, to have wicked men his enemies. Hee is a good man who carries the malice of evill ones.
From these grounds a godly heart will thus conclude. Was Christ hated in the world? is the cause such, because I run not the wayes of the world? and because I am chosen out of the world? Have I professed hostility to it in my baptisme? Will God take my part, and give me victory? yea, is it overcome already? Doth God bring me such light out of darknesse, and his owne love and friendship out of the worlds frownes and hatred? I am then well content to carry it. If it hate God, let it not love me.