The Godly Man's Picture

Answ. 1. If we are prizers of Christ, then we prefer him in our judgements before other things: We value Christ above honour and riches; the Pearl of Price lies nearest our heart: He who prizeth Christ, esteems the gleanings of Christ better than the worlds Vintage: He counts the worst things of Christ better than the best things of the world, Heb. 11. 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches, than the treasures in Egypt. And is it thus with us? Is the price of worldly things fallen? Gregory Nazianzene did solemnly bless God, that he had any thing to lose for Christs^* sake But alas, how few Nazianzenes are to be found: You shall hear some say, they have honourable thoughts of Christ, but they prize their Land and Estate above him. The young man in the Gospel preferred his bags of gold before Christ: Judas valued thirty pieces of silver above him: May it not be feared, if an hour of trial come, there are many would ⟨p. 63⟩rather renounce their Baptism, and throw off Christs Livery, than hazard the loss of their earthly possessions for him.

Answ. 1. If we are prizers of Christ, then we prefer him in our judgements before other things: We value Christ above honor and riches; the Pearl of Price lies neerest our heart: He who prizeth Christ, esteems the gleanings of Christ better than the worlds Vintage: He counts the worst things of Christ better than the best things of the world, Heb. 11. 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches, than the treasures in Egypt. And is it thus with us? Is the price of worldly things fallen? Gregory Nazianzene did solemnly bless God, that he had any thing to lose for Christs^* sake But alas, how few Nazianzenes are to be found: You shall hear some say, they have honourable thoughts of Christ, but they prize their Land and Estate above him. The young man in the Gospel preferred his bags of gold before Christ: Iudas valued thirty pieces of silver above him: May it not be feared, if an hour of tryal come, there are many would ⟨p. 63⟩