Luke 14:26

and hate not his father and mother It is not so much the true explanation to say that hatehere means love less(Genesis 29:31), as to say that when our nearest and dearest relationships prove to be positive obstacles in coming to Christ, then all natural affections must be flung aside; comp. Deuteronomy 13:6-9; Deuteronomy 33:8-9. A reference to Matthew 10:37 will shew that -hate" means hate by comparison.Our Lord purposely stated great principles in their boldest and even most paradoxical form by which He alone has succeeded in impressing them for ever as principleson the hearts of His disciples. The -love of love" involves a necessity for the possible -hate of hate," as even worldly poets have understood.

"Va, je t'aimais trop pour ne pas te hair."

"I could not love thee, dear, so much

Loved I not honour more."

Lovelace.

yea, and his own life also This further explains the meaning of the word -hate." The psuche -soul" or -animal life" is the seat of the passions and temptations which naturally alienate the spirit from Christ. These must be hated, mortified, crucified if they cannot be controlled; and life itself must be cheerfully sacrificed, Revelation 12:11; Acts 20:24.

"Il faut vivre dans ce monde," says St Francis de Sales, "comme si nous avions l'esprit au ciel, et le corps au tombeau."