April 29

By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.—Galatians 6:14.

Your crucifixion to the world by the cross of Christ, will be one of the clearest and surest evidences of your sincerity; and so may afford you abundant help for the conquering of your doubts, and the ascertaining your salvation. When, on the contrary, an unmortified, worldly mind, is the certain and common mark of a miserable hypocrite. I know a melancholy man may be so weary of the world, as to be impatient of his life; but to prefer the Lord and everlasting life before it, in our practical estimation, and resolution, and endeavors, is the very point of saving sincerity, and the specific nature of true sanctification: and other marks must be reduced unto this.

More particularly, 1. If you look to the understanding, this crucifixion to the world is a very great part of the wisdom of the soul. For wherein doth wisdom more consist, than in judging of things as indeed they are, and especially in matters of greatest moment? He therefore that is crucified to the world, must needs be wise; and whatever his knowledge and reputation may be, he that wants this must needs be a fool. Is that a wise man that knoweth the times and seasons, and how to do this and that in the world, and knoweth not how to escape damnation, nor where his safety and happiness must be sought? And is not he a wiser man that can see the snares that are laid for his soul, and so escape the burning lake; than he that will sell his Saviour and his soul for a little pleasure to his flesh for a moment? I make no doubt, but the weakest man or woman that practically knows the vanity of this world, and the desirable excellency of God and glory, is a thousandfold wiser than the most famous princes or learned men that want this knowledge. I will never take that man for a fool, that can hit the way to heaven; nor that for a wise man, that can not hit it. It is the greatest matters that try men's wisdom, though childish wit may appear in trifles.

2. To be crucified to the world is the certain effect of a living, effectual faith. The dead faith that James speaks of, may move you to so much compassion as to say to the poor, "Go in peace; be warmed and filled." But it will not so far loose you from the world, as to persuade you to part with it to supply his wants: at least you will never be persuaded to part with all and follow Christ, till the belief of a treasure in heaven do persuade you to it. Can you say from your hearts, Let all go, rather than the love of God? And in a case of trial, do you certainly find that there is nothing so dear to you, which you cannot part with for God and the hopes of everlasting life? This is a sign of an effectual faith; for neither nature nor common grace did ever bring a soul so high.

3. It is also a certain evidence of unfeigned love. For wherein is love so clearly manifested, as in the highest adventures for the person whom we love, and in the costliest expressions of our love when we are called to it? Then it will appear that you love God indeed, when there is nothing else that you prefer before him, and nothing but what you lay down at his feet; when the greatest professors that love the world, do show that the love of the Father is not in them, so far as it is loved.

4. To be crucified to the world and alive to God, is the very honesty, and chastity, and justice of the soul. This is your fidelity to God, in keeping the holy covenant that you have made with him in Christ. This is your keeping yourselves unspotted from the world, and undefiled by it; when the friends of it live in its adulterous embraces. Thus do you give the Lord his own, even both the creature and your hearts; when worldlings do unjustly rob him of both. This is the great command and request of God, "My son, give me thy heart." Give him but this, and he will take it as if you gave him all; for indeed the rest will follow this. But if you give the world your hearts, God will take all the rest as nothing.