The duty of self-denial briefly opened and urged. By Thomas Watson, minister of the…

14. A Christian must deny his Estate for Christ. A Carnal heart will commend Christ, and profess him; but will part with nothing for him. The young Man in the Gospel was Christs hearer, but not his follower. He did, superna probare, but terrena appetere as one saith^*. When Christ said to him, Sell all and give to the poor, abiit tristis, he went away sorrowful, Mat. 19.22. When Mercury is in conjunction with a bad Planet, it hath a bad influence: So when Riches are joined ⟨p. 42⟩with a bad heart, they do much hurt. The World lay nearer the young Mans heart, than Christ. ^*Have some of the Heathens denied the World? Epaminondas a Grecian Captain, who obtained many glorious Victories, yet he was a great contemner of the World; he refused vast sums of Money sent him from the King of Persia, insomuch that when he died, he left scarce enough to defray the charges of his funeral. Did an Heathen go thus far in denying the World, and shall not Christians much more? Let the wedge of gold be denied for the Pearl of price. Mat. 19.27, We have forsaken all, and followed thee. A true Saint esteems the gleanings of Christ, better than the worlds Vintage. Phil. 3.8. For whom I have suffered the loss of all things^*. Galeacius Marquess of Vico parted with a fair estate, to enjoy the pure ordinances of Christ at Geneva. When a Jesuit persuaded him to return to his Popish Religion ⟨p. 43⟩in Italy, promising him an huge sum of Money, he said, Let their money perish with them, who esteem all the gold in the world worth one hours communion with Jesus Christ and his holy spirit.

14. A Christian must deny his Estate for Christ. A Carnal heart will commend Christ, and profess him; but will part with nothing for him. The young Man in the Gospel was Christs hearer, but not his follower. He did, superna probare, but terrena appetere as one saith