"sight of God;" enforcing this by the example of the rich man and Lazarus; and on anoth er occasion asserted, "That it was easier for a "camel to go through the eye of a needle, than "for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of "God; and that, whofoever he be, that forsa"keth not all, that he hath, he cannot be my "disciple." Now take this in the largest sense, that he, who is not willing to forsake all, as if he hated them, as Christ said, "If any man "come to me, and hate not his father and moth"er," and "take not his cross and follow me, "he cannot be my disciple." How few disciples would he have had in this age! Would all his miracles persuade some to this? too hard for Heaven with most men! The world is The Here is the cause of infidelity. The love of the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, darken the heart, and, like shutters, keep out the light of Heaven; till they are removed, the light cannot enter. spirit of purity and holiness will not descend into a heart full of uncleanness. If we would invite this guest, we must sweep the house and make it clean. But this too is of God; forheonly can make a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within us. But he has promised to give this wisdom to those, who ask it, and lead a godly life. Therefore ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. But do it ardently and incessantly, as he, who striveth for his soul. For God is gracious and merciful, longsuffering, and of great goodness; and those, who come to him in sincerity, he will in no wise Finis. cast out. |
