The Christians two chief lessons viz. self-denial, and self-trial. As also the privilege of…The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of…

Use 1 It shows us that it is not an easy thing to enter into Christs service, or to persevere in the same, it is not an holy-day task, or an easy matter, but very hard and difficult: this strait gate makes a man strive, and pincheth him sore; he must strip himself naked to creep in at this strait gate. You count it a matter of nothing to be a christian, I grant it is an easy matter to be such as you be, to patter over a few prayers, which a child of five or six years old may do; many a drunkard and civilian would go to heaven, if this would serve turn; but alas, it is a harder thing then you are aware of; you must deny life and all, and not only some profits or pleasures in life; yea and have it not only in a readiness to be bound, but to die for the Lord Jesus, or to suffer any thing for him. Oh it is not an easy thing to deny a mans self; do they deny themselves that wil• not deny a look, a feather, or a vain fashion? but can you deny life, liberty, lands, livings? is it easy to go to prison? you that have your secret lusts, is it easy to leave them? oh know, it is not easy to be a christian: you drunkards and adulterers, bid adieu to your lusts, your gods must down, and it is not an easy thing to lay them down.

Vse 1 It shewes us that it is not an easie thing to enter into Christs service, or to persevere in the same, it is not an holy-day taske, or an easie matter, but very hard and difficult: this strait gate makes a man strive, and pincheth him sore; hee must strip himselfe naked to creepe in at this strait gare. You count it a matter of nothing to be a christian, I grant it is an easie matter to be such as you be, to patter over a few prayers, which a childe of five or sixe yeeres old may doe; many a drunkard and civilian would goe to heaven, if this would serve turne; but alas, it is a harder thing then you are aware of; you must deny life and all, and not only some profits or pleasures in life; yea and have it not onely in a readinesse to be bound, but to die for the Lord Iesus, or to suffer any thing for him. Oh it is not an easie thing to deny a mans selfe; do they deny themselves that wil• not deny a looke, a feather, or a vaine fashion? but can you deny life, liberty, lands, livings? is it easie to goe to prison? you that have your secret lusts, is it easie to leave them? oh know, it is not easie to be a christian: you drunkards and adulterers, bid adieu to your lusts, your gods must downe, and it is not an easie thing to lay them downe.