John Trapp on Matthew 19:23

Verse 23. A rich man shall hardly enter] With that burden of thick clay, that camels-bunch on his back: heaven is a stately [illegible: 2 words] est opibus non [illegible: 2 words]. Et [illegible: 6 words] [illegible: 1 word] pallace with a narrow portall; there must be both stripping and [illegible: 1 word], ere one can get through this strait gate. The greatest wealth is ordinarily tumoured up with the greatest swelth of rebellion against God. Vermis divitiarum est superbia, saith Augustine, Pride breeds in wealth, as the worm doth in the apple, and he is a great rich man indeed, and greater then his riches, that doth not think himself great, because he is rich. Charge those 1 Tim. 6. 17. that are rich that they be not high-minded (for the devil will soon blow up such a blab in them, if they watch not) and that they trust not in uncertain riches, so as to make their gold their God, as all worldlings do, and worse: for could we but rip up such mens hearts we should finde written in them The God of this present world. They that minde earthly things have destruction for their [illegible: 1 word], Philip. 3. Have them we may and use them too, but minde them we may not, nor love them, 1 John 2. 15. that's spirituall [illegible: 1 word], such as Gods soul hateth, and he smiteth his hands at, [illegible: 1 word] 22. 13.