Chapter 3: Containing the Ground of the Proposition

Chapter 3. Containing the ground of the Proposition.

The grand Reason why we must deny ourselves is, because we can be saved no other way. A Town or Castle may have several ways leading to it, but there is but one way leads to the celestial Paradise, and that is self-denial. Without self-denial, we can never come up to Christ's terms. If the World be not denied, Christ cannot be loved. If self-righteousness be not denied, Christ cannot be trusted. If the will be not denied, Christ cannot be obeyed. Therefore self-denial is of as absolute necessity as Heaven.

Chapter 3. The Foundation of the Proposition.

The main reason we must deny ourselves is that we can be saved no other way. A town or castle may have several roads leading to it, but there is only one road that leads to the heavenly paradise, and that is self-denial. Without self-denial, we can never meet Christ's requirements. If the world is not denied, Christ cannot be loved. If self-righteousness is not denied, Christ cannot be trusted. If the will is not denied, Christ cannot be obeyed. Therefore self-denial is as absolutely necessary as Heaven itself.