1. And for the first, that which Faith doth, is especially, 1. To see deeper and further into the nature of all things in the world, than sense can do, 2 Cor. 4.17, 18. 1 Cor. 7.29, 30, 31. To see that they were never intended for our Rest or portion, but to be our wilderness provision in our way. To foresee just how the world will use us, and leave us at the last, and to have the very same thoughts of it now, as we foresee that we shall have when the end is come, and when we have had all that ever the world will do for us. It is the work of Faith, to cause a man to judge of the world, and all its glory, as we shall do when death and judgment come, and have taken off the mask of splendid names, and shows, and flatteries: that we may use the world as if we used it not, and possess it as if we possest it not, because its fashion doth pass away. It is the work of Faith to crucify the world to us, and us to the world by the Cross of Christ, Gal. 6.14. that we may look on it as disdainfully as the world looked upon Christ, when he hanged as forsaken on the Cross. That when it is dead, it may have no power on us, and when we are dead to it, we may have no inordinate love, or care, or thoughts, or fears, or grief, or labour to lay out upon it. It is the work of Faith •o make all worldly pomp and glory, to be to us but loss, and dross, and dung, in comparison of Christ, and the righteousness of Faith, Phil. 3.7, 8, 9. And then no man will part with Heaven for dung, nor set his God below his dung, nor further from his heart; nor will he feel any great power in temptations to honour, wealth or pleasure, if really he count them all but dung; nor will he wound his conscience, or betray his peace, or cast away his innocency for them.
1. And for the first, that which Faith doth, is especially, 1. To see deeper and further into the nature of all things in the world, than sense can do, 2 Cor. 4.17, 18. 1 Cor. 7.29, 30, 31. To see that they were never intended for our Rest or portion, but to be our wilderness provision in our way. To foresee just how the world will use us, and leave us at the last, and to have the very same thoughts of it now, as we foresee that we shall have when the end is come, and when we have had all that ever the world will do for us. It is the work of Faith, to cause a man to judge of the world, and all its glory, as we shall do when death and judgment come, and have taken off the mask of splendid names, and shews, and flatteries: that we may use the world as if we used it not, and possess it as if we possest it not, because its fashion doth pass away. It is the work of Faith to crucifie the world to us, and us to the world by the Cross of Christ, Gal. 6.14. that we may look on it as disdainfully as the world looked upon Christ, when he hanged as forsaken on the Cross. That when it is dead, it may have no power on us, and when we are dead to it, we may have no inordinate love, or care, or thoughts, or fears, or grief, or labour to lay out upon it. It is the work of Faith •o make all worldly pomp and glory, to be to us but loss, and dross, and dung, in comparison of Christ, and the righteousness of Faith, Phil. 3.7, 8, 9. And then no man will part with Heaven for dung, nor set his God below his dung, nor further from his heart; nor will he feel any great power in temptations to honour, wealth or pleasure, if really he count them all but dung; nor will he wound his conscience, or betray his peace, or cast away his innocency for them.
