The relation of Christians to the world
To sum up all in one word— what the soul is in the body, Chris- tians are in the world. The soul is dispersed through all the mem- bers of the body, and Christians are scattered through all the cities of the world. The soul dwells in the body, yet is not of the body; and Christians dwell in the world, yet are not of the world. The in- visible soul is guarded by the visible body, and Christians are known indeed to be in the world, but their godliness remains in- visible. The flesh hates the soul, and wars against it, (1 Pet. 2:11) though itself suffering no injury, because it is prevented from en- joying pleasures; the world also hates the Christians, though in nowise injured, because they abjure pleasures. The soul loves the flesh that hates it, and [loves also] the members; Christians like- wise love those that hate them. The soul is imprisoned in the body, yet preserves that very body; and Christians are confined in the world as in a prison, and yet they are the preservers of the world. The immortal soul dwells in a mortal tabernacle; and Chris- tians dwell as sojourners in corruptible [bodies], looking for an incorruptible dwelling in the heavens. The soul, when but ill- provided with food and drink, becomes better; in like manner, the Christians, though subjected day by day to punishment, increase the more in number. God has assigned them this illustrious posi- tion, which it were unlawful for them to forsake.
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