The word and Spirit of
God come sometimes like chainshot to us, as if it would cut down
all--as when Abraham was to offer up Isaac, and the Levites to slay
their brethren. Oh, how willingly would our flesh and blood escape
the cross for Christ! The comfort of the gospel, the sweetness of
the promise, how pleasing is it to us! Like Ephraim, we like to
tread out the corn, and to hear those pleasant songs and music that
gospel sermons make, where only grace is preached and nothing of our
duty as to works of self-denial. But as for such, God will tread
upon their fair neck, and yoke them with Christ's yoke; for then
they have a work to do, even a work of self-denial.
"Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross and follow me." Let him first sit down and count up the cost
and the charge he is like to be at, if he follow me; for following
of me is not like following of some other masters. The winds set
always on my face; and the foaming rage of the sea of this world,
and the proud and lofty waves thereof do continually beat upon the
sides of the bark that myself, my cause, and my followers are in; he
therefore that will not run hazards, and that is afraid to venture a
drowning, let him not set foot into this vessel.
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