SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD.

THERE is no part of Christian obligation that is not liable to the objection and resistance which arise out of our native aversion to holiness. And the requirement to separate from the ungodly world is one of those obligations most offensive to the natural mind, and most reproached when practised. The Christian must therefore stand prepared for assaults against his own conduct, in this particular, and for desperate attacks also against the principles from which his conduct proceeds, which are charged, by the lovers of this world, with every thing opprobrious and vile. On this account it may be serviceable to give the subject a serious investigation, treasuring up in our minds such spiritual arguments as may, by the Lord's mercy, confirm us in obedience, and silence gainsayers.

The first great, and, as it ought to be, satisfactory argument, arises from the certainty that separation from the world is a divine command. The scriptures give us a full tide of evidence that Jehovah has bound this obligation upon the subjects of his kingdom. Under the Old Testament dispensation, the worshippers of God were enjoined to manifest their peculiar character and expectation, by a decided separation from men of different principles. Israel as a nation was commanded to remember, from generation to generation, that distinctions, such as had been

conferred by the covenant of grace, were to be cherished in the resolute life of faith and devotion, and that the servants of the Most High must have no fellowship, make no alliances, admit of no connivances with the heathen or strangers in the land. Whenever the Israelites were disobedient to this injunction, consequent judgments were sent upon them; the blast of the Almighty scattered the confederated hosts, disappointed the human device, and pleaded this law. When the foes of the Almighty were spared, and received by his professed friends into prohibited association, correction and misery ensued, and according to the forewarning denunciation, they became "pricks in their eyes, and goads in their sides." Thus Israel's history furnishes us with unquestionable testimony that one of the most prominent laws of that people, as exalted into visible and glorious privileges above the rest of the nations, was a corresponding separation from them, in principles, customs, and course: Deut. vii. 1—6. Let us not admit the supposition that these laws were binding only upon the Hebrew nation, and abrogated by the gospel; so far from this appearing, we have the reiterated voice of the Spirit, enforcing them upon Christians by the most solemn considerations. To them it is shown, that, with increasing light and privileges, there should be corresponding increase of visible sanctity, and that they who are called to the inheritance in Christ have peculiar obligations, and a claim upon them from God, to singular and conspicuous holiness, which they must manifest by separation from the world. The testimony of our Lord to his disciples is express—“ Ye are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

"I have chosen you out of the world." The apostolic voice speaks with the same decision-“ Come out and be separate." "Be not conformed to this world." "Love not the world." These and similar passages ought to be conclusive, since they undeniably proclaim the gospel law, and none can trifle with the command of the Infinite Lawgiver, and be guiltless. Nor should they who profess faith in Jehovah as infinitely wise, good, and merciful, hesitate to yield an entire acquiescence in the revelation, seeing that God, who is Love, cannot enjoin upon his creatures any act of obedience that will not issue to their benefit, and enrich them in the most essential way. And truly, where faith and love are genuine, it will be sufficient to ensure filial accordance with any precept, if it be satisfactorily proved that God will have it so.

It has however pleased the Lord to condescend to our condition, and graciously to commend the requirement to our judgment, by assigning reasons which are satisfactory to the upright. The condition of the world, from which we are called out is faithfully exhibited. It is an awful statement that is given by the apostle John! "The whole world lieth in wickedness," that is, lieth in a lawless revolt from the divine government. And it is yet more awful, when to this is added the further declaration, that the whole world is become subject to the government of "the prince of darkness," who " deceiveth the whole world." This then is no region wherein the subjects of Christ can be supposed to rest, or of which to be allowed to form their association. It cannot be that Christ and Belial, light and darkness, righteousness and unrighteousness, servants of sin

and disciples of Jesus, can assimilate or agree together. As soon might we bring together east and west, as form such an unnatural combination, where every principle is in opposition, producing results that can only confirm disagreement. We must also remember that the fallen condition of the world is attended with the most desperate expression of enmity against God. His glorious nature is abhorrent to the guilty and depraved mind of man. So that not only are laws trampled under foot, but divine authority is contemned and despised, even in the midst of the most gracious demonstrations of providential bounty and forbearance. The mercies are received, but the source of them is rejected. And thus lawless crimes are attended with every aggravating circumstance of ingratitude, treachery, and insolence. This is no exaggerated representation of the state of the fallen world. The inspired page presents us with this plain statement, and our own observation confirms the truth of the testimony. Let us not be surprised that the Lord should call his servants to come forth, and openly to avow their higher relation, and to disown the fatal conspiracy in this apostate world. Let it not be surprising to us, that, in the judgment of the Almighty, friendship with the world is enmity with God. In human life, we allow that when a man espouses the opinions, and forms a close intimacy with the avowed enemy of another, the conclusion necessarily follows, that he is also opposed. The same results must be expected in the spiritual interests before us: and hence we shall come to this judgment, namely, that friendship to God, zeal for his interests, and love of his authority, will necessitate a man to come out

from a world, wherein all these considerations are disowned and despised, unless he intends to profess himself one of God's foes.

But the Lord proceeds to provide reasons more calculated to arrest the attention of such as would still trifle in the enemy's kingdom. He has shown us that association with the world is defiling and destructive. To transgressors, the voice of prohibition is full of mercy for although already of the world, it proposes to him the desirableness of making an escape, more especially as by remaining in the fellowship of sinners, his own prospects become increasingly dark, and the hope of future escape more difficult. Sin is progressive in its power. Every indulgence invests it with more complete dominion. He, who in his first entrance upon the career of open vice, trod the way with a faltering step and a misgiving heart-whose conscience was burdened by the sense of guilt, and whose bosom was a region of remorse and pain-is gradually released from such unwelcome restraints by the strong arm of master sins to which he has surrendered himself a captive, and by associating with men of infidel principles and dissipated habits, he soon becomes equally atheistic, and daring, and desperate. This is a serious consideration for as sin is progressively hardening the heart in its rebellion, so is it also progressively advancing the sum of final judgments which shall fall on the head of the offender, and yield him an accumulated weight of woe. To such unhappy sinners the caution may well be addressed. "If sinners entice thee, consent thou not;" and the precept sounds loudly and lovingly, "Come out and be separate." But remonstrances of this description are not