Vol. 2

154. ST. MARKilittle, leaves it all for the sake of God, and desiresnothing but him. It is a small thing to forsakeexternal goods, if we do not forsake what is trulyours, our will and flesh, in sacrificing them to Godby mortification. It is something indeed to stripourselves ; but if we design to follow Christ beyondthe sea of thispresent world, we must, by strengthof arm, cut our passage through the waves to thatplace where he expects us ; that is, we must renounceand do violence to ourselves, in imitation of our headand pattern." 29. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I sayunto you, There is no man that hath left house, orbrethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, orchildren, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,30. But he shall receive an hundred-fold now in thistime, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers,and children, and lands, with persecutimis ; and inthe world to come eternal life."Who could believe, that he who leaves his kindredand estate, that he may not be deficient in faith,truth, and righteousness, and in that perfection whichGod requires of him, is rewarded even in this life ?It is Jesus Christ who says it: it is therefore a matterof faith. One single degree of grace, which isa thousand times more valuable than all which a mancan leave for the sake of God, causes him to find anhundred-fold. Whoever can truly say, that his faithstaggers not at this article, and that he is ready tofollow Christ at the expense of all, what may he notjustly expect from God ! It is very pleasant to servea master, who in this world makes his servants richin poverty, full of joy in forsaking all things, and