The crucifying of the world

3. THE next thing to be declared is, How the Cross which we our selves do suffer in obedience and conformity to Christ, and for his sake, doth crucify the world to us, and us to the world. That the bearing of this Cross is necessary to all that will be Christs Disciples; yea the daily bearing of it is plain, Luke 9. 23. & 14. 27. Mat. 10. 38. Two ways doth this tend to the crucifying of us to the world.

3. THE next thing to be declared is, How the Cross which we our selves do suffer in obedience and conformity to Christ, and for his sake, doth crucifie the world to us, and us to the world. That the bearing of this Cross is necessary to all that will be Christs Disciples; yea the daily bearing of it is plain, Luke 9. 23. & 14. 27. Mat. 10. 38. Two waies doth this tend to the crucifying of us to the world.

1. It doth more sensibly convince us of the Vanity and Enmity of the world, then any mere doctrine or distant examples and observations could have done. I confess we see so much of the worlds deceit of others, that might satisfy a reasonable man that it is vain. But the flesh doth draw us into a participation of its brutishness: and reason will not see the light. But the Cross doth convince even the flesh it self, the grand deceiver. When the malice of wicked men lets fly at us, and the world do spit in our faces as they did in Christs; when we are made a common by-word and derision, and become as the filth of the world to them, and the off-scouring of all things; when we have fears within and troubles without; and the sorrows of death lay hold upon us, and enemies compass us round about; O how effectually will this convince us that the world is vain, and worse then vain! Who will look for Happiness from a known Enemy and Tormentor? When we have Jobs Messengers of sad tidings and troubles are multiplied: When pain and anguish seizeth upon our bodies, and grief hath taken up its dwelling in our very flesh and bones who then will admire or dote upon the world? Who will not then cry out against it as Vanity and Vexation? When friends abuse one another, they will fall out for the time, though they turn not enemies. And even the wicked when they suffer in the world, will speak hardly of it, though the friendship of it still dwell in their sensual dispositions. How much more will the Enmity be increased in the Saints, when the world doth use them as its enemies, and spit out the bitterest of their malice against them? If we have any thoughts of reconciliation with the world, God useth to suffer it to buffet and abuse us, that strokes and smart may maintain the Enmity, if nothing else will serve to do it.