Vol 01 - Chapter 06 - The antichristian life of the formal Christian.

Chapter 06 - The antichristian life of the formal Christian
1. WHILE every one names himself a Christian, although he do not perform the part of a Christian; by such a conversation CHRIST is both denied and belied, yea, contemned, derided, blasphemed, and crucified. According to which the apostle says expressly, that certain persons " crucified the Son of GOD afresh." I would to GOD it were only so once, and that CHRIST were not again in these days crucified amongst its daily, by the antichristian lives of them that profess his name. But alas! his most holy life is no where almost to be found! and this is a most true saying, That where the life of CHRIST is not, there also CHRIST is not, let there be. never so much noise made about his faith and doctrine.
2. For what is Christian faith without a Christian life It is a barren tree without fruit, of which sort the world, alas! is full. But which is no more than CHRIST himself foretold, saying, "When the Son of Alan comes, shall he find faith on the earth" Which saying we are not to understand of that faith which we may profess in our mouths, and yet deny in our works. But of true faith: now wherever true faith is, there CHRIST is, and there the life of CHRIST must be: on the contrary, whosoever does not imitate the life of CHRIST, the same is without CHRIST; yea, there can be in him neither faith nor CHRIST. And if any man follow riot CHRIST, that man for certain has no faith; and whatever he may pretend, he has not CHRIST, nor any part in CHRIST; for CHRIST is cut off' from him, and he from CHRIST; CHRIST is rooted up in him, and is wholly denied by him.
3. Concerning whom thus speaks the Lord, saying,, " If any man shall deny me before men, him will I deny before my Father, and before his holy angels." This denial of ours is not only transacted in words, as when we formally renounce CHRIST;. but much more, when in our deeds we resist CHRIST, and do despite to the Holy Ghost. And this is that which St. Paul calls a denial in. works; speaking of some, that, being unto every good work reprobate, " profess that they know GOD, but in works deny him," Titus 1:16. For it is certain, that CHRIST is no less denied by a wicked life, than if he were expressly abjured by open words. To such as those be Tongs the saying of St. Paul, "They have indeed a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof." Now, what else is it to deny the power of godliness, but to betray and violate ones faith towards CHRIST, and so to play the heathen, under the name and mask of a Christian These, therefore, St. Paul rightly calls infidels; in whom the spirit (not of CHRIST,.but) of this world, according to the course thereof, works. Hence then, all they that usurp a Christian's name, and do nothing that is Christian, shall be denied also by CHRIST, saying; " Depart from me ye that work iniquity, because I know you not."
4. Should any one examine the life and manners of these times, after the standard of the life and doctrine delivered by CHRIST, he would doubtless find the lives of most men to be against CHRIST, or antichristian. For their lives would appear diametrically repugnant to the life of JESUS CHRIST, and their maxims to his maxims; and the most of them that call themselves Christians, would, alas! easily be discovered by this test to be of antichrist. For nothing is plainer, than that the world lies at this day in wickedness, yea, in that wicked one; and that they, who have most solemnly' renounced it, have nevertheless not forsaken it; but would marry light with darkness, and unite CHRIST and antichrist together. Since the greatest part of the world, whatever profession they may take tip to cover themselves with, have in reality no other thing in them at the bottom, but the idolatry of covetousness, which is the study of getting more of the world, and of holding fast what they already have. Yea, what indeed are the lives of men now, if we look to the life of CHRIST and the lives of his first disciples Ah! how have they departed from their first love
The world is brought into CHRISTendom, and CHRISTendom is brought into the world. So the love of the world reigneth every where instead of that of CHRIST. Many there are that make a noise for religion, and for the purity of the gospel: but after all, what are their lives but covetousness and mere selfishness This is that, after which we so greedily run: honor, great possessions, or a great name. But how agreeth all this with the poor and humble life of JESUS Or, how suiteth so much bustle and stirring as is every where seen, to a disciple of the cross Or, how can so much clamor and impatience be reconciled to a follower of the meek and patient Lamb of GOD But if this cannot be, what have they to do to take the name of CHRIST into their mouths or what have they to do with the profession of Christianity, which they deny in their conversation
For what else do the lives of the men of this generation spew, but a sordid unChristian temper, and a base and earthly habit of mind but self-interest, worldly-mindedness, and contempt of heavenly things; but the lust of the flesh and the wandering of the eyes; but the concupiscence of the heart, and the ambition of the head; but the pride of life, and affectation of grandeur; but vain gloriousness and presumption; but the politics of the world, and the wisdom which comes not from above; but the restless pursuit after shadows, and senseless hunting after fame and glory; but a thirst after those things which can never satisfy, and an hunger for the serpent's food, even for dust; but the deifging of reason, and the degrading of the word of GOD; but infidelity and irreligion; false valour and despicable cowardice; but inconstancy and time-serving; ingratitude and disloyalty; but wrath and furious strivings, wars and seditions, civil and ecclesiastical; but discords and contentions, both from within and without; but the fire of jealousy, and the burning of revenge; but secret hatred and envyings; implacableness of malice, and incorrigibleness of injustice; but insincerity and hypocrisy; wicked deceits and frauds; but treacherous backbitings and calumnies, lies and perjuries; but all manner of uncleanness, and all manner of unrighteousness
In a word, the whole life of the. children of this generation is made up of these ingredients, the love of the world, self-Zone, self-honor, and self-seeking; or, to say all in one, covetousness: so that they are lovers of the world rather than of GOD; all seeking their own, not their neighbor's good, and affecting honor, profit, and pleasure in this life.
5. Now to this, doubtless, the life of CHRIST is most opposite; which is nothing else but the most pure love of GOD and men, variously branching itself forth in humanity, in friendliness, in courtesy, in beneficence, in meekness, in patience, in obedience to the death, in mercifulness, in' righteousness, in veracity, in simplicity, in purity, in chastity, in sanctity, in contempt of the world, and of worldly honors; in refusal of wealth and pleasures, in denial of ourselves, in the bearing of the. cross continually, with all manner of tribulation and affliction for CHRIST's sake, and in the daily study and thirst after the kingdom of GOD, and in all inexpressible desire to fulfill in all things the Divine will. Behold! this is the life of CHRIST in man: this is to be with CHRIST, and for CHRIST; and to be redeemed from the number of them that are, without CHRIST and against CHRIST.
6. So then, he that is not with CHRIST is against CHRIST; for " he that is not with me," says our Lord, " is against me:" but the modern life of persons outwardly professing Christianity, is for certain not with him; and, therefore, it is against him. It has no communion with CHRIST, but is contrary to him; that is, not Christian, but antiChristian. Hardly are there any who are of one soul, one will,,one mind, and one spirit with CHRIST: and none but such as these ever can be CHRIST's; concerning whom, therefore, the apostle bears witness, We have the mind of CHRIST," 1 Corinthians 2:16. And again in another place, " Let this mind be in you, which was also in CHRIST JESUS," Php_2:5. Wherefore all the children of the world, forasmuch as they have not the mind which was in CHRIST, nor the same manners and conversation which he had, let them never so much call themselves Christians, let them never so much boast. of their faith, or presume upon their orthodoxy, undeniably are not with, but are against CHRIST. But he that is not with CHRIST, is an antiCHRIST. He may not be so in doetrine, but he is so certainly in life.
7. And this being so, in what place pf the earth shall we find true Christians They may well be called a little flock: with which the prophet Isaiah agreeth, when he compareth. the faithful assembly of Sion, that is, the true church, to a little " cottage in a vineyard," and to a "watch-tower or lodge, in a garden of cucumbers." And so Micall cornpareth it to " a cluster of grapes," which the gatherers left by negligence in the vineyard, saying, " Wo is me, for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, with grape gleanings of the vintage there is no cluster to eat; the good man is perished out of the earth, and there is none upright among men. And blessed David likeneth it to a solitary turtle, to a little sparrow, hiding itself under the eves of the house; to a pelican in the wilderness, and to a night-owl in the desart. Such is the state of Christianity at this day. Oh “how few are the true Christians! And where are they to be found Oh l that we could but tell who they were, and by what outward mark we might know thorn
8. Whosoever they arc, certainly CHRIST both is and will be with them, " even unto the end of the world;" neither will he ever leave them without succor or encouragement, according to his word, " I will not leave you comfortless." For the Lord knows his, and those that be his CHRIST's: and whom he is said to know, them he takes special notice of, and distinguishes signally from others. Amongst whom, if any would be, the apostle's admonition must be had in remembrance, " Let every one that nameth the name of CHRIST," says he, “depart front all iniquity.'' But as for them that are not so minded, let them get themselves some other name which may suit them better. Nevertheless, " the foundation of GOD stands sure," with respect to all them that hear his call, having this seal, "The Lord knows then that arc his." And every one that is so, will depart from iniquity, and not name his name, without witnessing to his life."