The world and I am well agreed – Thomas Brooks

Assurance will keep the heart from an inordinate running out after the world, and the glory thereof. Moses, having an assurance of the recompense of reward, and of God’s love and favor, could not be drawn by all the honors, pleasures, and treasures of Egypt. He slights all, and tramples upon all the glory of the world, as men trample upon things of no worth, Heb. 11:24-27.

So after Paul had been in the third heaven, and had assurance that nothing should separate him from the love of God in Christ, he looks upon the world as a crucified thing: “The world is crucified to me,” says he, 2 Cor. 12:1-3, and Rom. 8:38; “and I am crucified unto the world,” Gal. 6:14. The world is dead to me, and I am dead to it: the world and I am well agreed the world cares not a pin for me, and I care not a pin for the world.

I have read of Lazarus, that after he was raised from the grave, he was never seen to smile. The assurance that he had of more glorious things, deadened his heart to the things of this world; he saw nothing in them worthy of a smile. Ah! were there more assurance among Christians, there would not be such tugging for the world, and such greedy hunting and pursuing after it, as is in these days, to the dishonor of God, the reproach of Christ, and the shame of the gospel.

So when God gave Galeacius, that Italian marquis, an assurance of everlasting happiness, he withstood many golden temptations, and cried out, ‘Cursed be he who prefers all the glory of the world to one day’s communion with Christ!