Vol. 2

CHAPTER IX. 471find that which they seek, it will be only to theirgreater condemnation. The poverty of Christ, isthe patrimony of those who make profession of followinghim in the way of perfection. All his truechildren ought to love, honour, and imitate it, in somemeasure at least, and to have their heart prepared forit. They are unworthy to serve him, who seek otherthings in his service. O Jesus, Saviour of men,how few are there who honour thy poverty, in bearingit with thy Spirit ; not to reckon those who flyfrom it, and have it in abhorrence ! Cause us. Lord,by the power of thy grace, to love this virtue." 59. And he said unto another. Follow me. Buthe said. Lord, suffer me first to go and bury myfather."Fondness for relations is an obstacle to salvation.Christ rejects the person who desired to follow him,and draws him who was for delaying it ;to teach usthat his will and grace ought to fix our call, and notour own choice and appointment. Self-love neverwants pious pretences to excuse itself, with somedecency, from doing the will of God. Happy thatperson whom God does not abandon to the resistanceand opposition which he makes to the grace of hiscall!" 60. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead burytheir dead ; but go thou and preach the kingdom ofGod."The ministers of the church cannot be too oftentold, that they should leave the world to the peopleof the world. When the heart is sincere, and nothinghinders from entering into the way which Christshows us, but only the fear of being wanting in some