e called to _be holy_ in our measure and degree, as
_he who hath called us is holy_. It was not only saints and martyrs
who were told that they must be _like-minded with Christ_. That
_they must do all to the glory of God_. That _they must renounce the
spirit of the world, and deny themselves_. It was not to apostles
only that Christ said, _They must have their conversation in
heaven_. It was not to a few holy men, set apart for the altar, that
he said, _They must set their affections on things above_. That
_they must not be conformed to the world_. No, it was to fishermen,
to publicans, to farmers, to day-laborers, to poor tradesmen, that
he spoke when he told them, they must _love not the world nor the
things of the world. That they must renounce the hidden things of
dishonesty, grow in grace, lay up for themselves treasures in
Heaven._

_Will._ All this might be very proper for _them_ to be taught,
because they had not been bred up Christians, but heathens or Jews:
and Christ wanted to make them his followers, that is, Christians.
But thank God we do not want to be taught all this, for we _are_
Christians, born in a Christian country, of Christian parents.

_Stock._ I suppose, then, you fancy that Christianity comes to
people in a Christian country by nature?

_Will._ I think it comes by a good education, or a good example.
When a fellow who has got any sense, sees a man cut off in his prime
by drinking, like Williams, I think he will begin to leave it off.
When he sees another man respected, like you, master, for honesty
and sobriety, and going to church, why he will grow honest, and
sober, and go to church: that is, he will see it his advantage to be
a Christian.

_Stock._ Will, what you say is the truth, but 'tis not the whole
truth. You are right as far as you go, but you do not go far enough.
The worldly advantages of piety, are, as you suppose, in general
great. Credit, prosperity, and health, almost naturally attend on a
religious life, both because a religious life supposes a sober and
industrious life, and because a man who lives in a course of duty
puts himself in the way of God's blessing. But a true Christian has
a still higher aim in view, and will follow religion even under
circumstances when it may hurt his credit and ruin his prosperity,
if it should ever happen to be the will of God that he should be
brought into such a trying state.

_Will._ Well, master, to speak the truth, if I go to church