And all the passages of scripture, which represent the world as contrary to Christianity, which require our separation from it, as from a monster of iniquity, are to be taken in the _strict sense_, in relation to the present world. For the change that the world has undergone, has only altered its methods, but not lessened its power of destroying religion. Whilst _pride_, _sensuality_, _covetousness_, and _ambition_, had only the authority of the _Heathen world_, Christians were thereby made more intent upon the contrary virtues. But when pride, sensuality, covetousness and ambition, have the authority of the Christian world, then private Christians are in the utmost danger, not only of being shamed out of the practice, but of losing the very notion of the piety of the gospel. There is therefore hardly any possibility of saving yourself from the present world, but by considering it as the same _enemy_ to all true holiness, as it is represented in the scriptures; and by assuring yourself, that it is as dangerous to conform to its _tempers_ and _passions_, now it is Christian, as when it was Heathen. Need a man do more to make his soul unfit for the mercy of God, than by being _greedy_ and _ambitious_ of honour? Yet how can you renounce this temper, without renouncing the spirit and temper of the world, in which you now live? How can a man be made more incapable of the Spirit of Christ, than by a _wrong value_ for money; and yet how can he be more wrong in his value of it, than by following the authority of the Christian world? *Nay, in every _order_ and _station_ of life, whether of _learning_ or _business_, either in church or state, you cannot act up to the spirit of religion, without renouncing the most _general temper_ and _behaviour_ of those, who are of the same order and business as yourself. *And though _human prudence_ seems to talk mighty wisely about the necessity of avoiding _particularities_, yet he that dares not be so _weak_ as to be particular, will be obliged to avoid the most substantial duties of Christian piety. These reflections, will, I hope, help you to break through those difficulties, and resist those temptations, which the authority and fashion of the world hath raised against the practice of _Christian humility_. CHAP. XIV. _Shewing how the education which men generally receive, makes the doctrines of humility difficult to be practised. The spirit of a better education represented in the character of |Paternus|._ 1. ANOTHER difficulty in the practice of humility, arises from our education. We are corruptly educated, and then committed to take our course in a corrupt world; so that it is no wonder, if examples of great piety are so seldom seen. Great part of the world are undone, by being born and bred in families that have no religion.