(What the True Christian sees outwardly.)
4. Neither does one of God's own allow himself to be disturbed in the peace of his mind by the nations of the world. Many things, indeed, displease him; but he does not, therefore, grieve or sorrow within his mind. Let that go backward that will not go straightly forward; that fall that cannot stand; that perish that cannot or will not endure. Why should a Christian grieve for this whose conscience is righteous, and who has in his heart the love of God? If men will not conform to our customs, let us then conform to theirs; at least, as far as our conscience permits it. The world, it is true, is going from bad to worse, but by our fretting shall we improve it?
(The True Christian heedeth not the Tumult of the World.)
5. The mighty of the world rage and dispute about crowns and sceptres; thence arise devastations of lands and countries; but this also the enlightened Christian heeds not greatly within his mind. He thinks that it is of little or no import who rules the world; for the world, even should Satan himself hold its sceptre, cannot destroy the Church. On the other hand, if a crowned angel ruled it, it would yet remain the world, and those who desire to be truly godly would yet have to suffer. It therefore appears indifferent to them who sits on
