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| Chapter VI.—The relation of Christians to the world.
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Chapter VI.—The
relation of Christians to the world.
To sum up all in one word—
what the soul is in the body, that are Christians in the world. The soul
is dispersed through all the members 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.289
The invisible
soul is guarded by the visible body, and Christians are known indeed to
be in the world, but their godliness remains invisible. The flesh hates the soul, and wars against
it,290
though itself suffering no injury,
because it is prevented from enjoying 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 likewise love those that hate them. The soul is imprisoned in
the body, yet preserves291
| 291
Literally, “keeps together.” | that very body; and
Christians are confined in the world as in a prison, and yet they are the
preservers292
| 292 Literally,
“keeps together.” | of the world. The immortal soul
dwells in a mortal tabernacle; and Christians dwell as sojourners in
corruptible [bodies], looking for an incorruptible dwelling293
| 293 Literally,
“incorruption.” | 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.294
| 294 Or,
“though punished, increase in number daily.” | God
has assigned them this illustrious position, which it were unlawful for
them to forsake.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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