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Christ in the heart, and the world under
the feet!
by Alleine-
Before a man has true faith, he is overcome by the world.
He either bows down to mammon, or idolizes his reputation,
or is a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God.
Here is the root of man's misery by the fall-- He is turned aside
to the creature, and gives that esteem, confidence and
affection to the creature that is due to God alone...
But converting grace sets all in order again, and puts God on
the throne, and the world at his footstool; Christ in
the heart,
and the world under the feet.
"I am crucified to the world, and the world to me" (Gal.
6:14).... Before, his heart's delight and content were in the
world; then the song was, "Soul, take thine ease, eat, drink,
and be merry; thou hast much goods laid up for many years."
But now all this is withered, and there is no
loveliness in the world, that we should desire it.
Now he tunes up with the sweet psalmist of Israel-
"The Lord is the portion of my inheritance..".
Nothing else can make him content.
He has written vanity and vexation upon all his worldly
enjoyments, and loss and dung upon all human excellencies.
He has life and immortality now in pursuit.
He pants for grace and glory, and has a crown incorruptible in
view. His heart is set in him to seek the Lord.
He first seeks the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and religion is no longer a casual matter with him, but his
main care.
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