第27章

5.Gather some profit to thy soul wherever thou art, and wherever thou seest or hearest good examples, stir thyself to follow them, but where thou seest anything which is blameworthy, take heed that thou do not the same; or if at any time thou hast done it, strive quickly to amend thyself.As thine eye observeth others, so again are the eyes of others upon thee.How sweet and pleasant is it to see zealous and godly brethren temperate and of good discipline; and how sad it is to see them walking disorderly, not practising the duties to which they are called.How hurtful a thing it is to neglect the purpose of their calling, and turn their inclinations to things which are none of their business.

6.Be mindful of the duties which thou hast undertaken, and set always before thee the remembrance of the Crucified.Truly oughtest thou to be ashamed as thou lookest upon the life of Jesus Christ, because thou hast not yet endeavoured to conform thyself more unto Him, though thou hast been a long time in the way of God.A religious man who exercises himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord shall find there abundantly all things that are profitable and necessary for him, neither is there need that he shall seek anything better beyond Jesus.Oh! if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts, how quickly, and completely should we have learned all that we need to know!

7.He who is earnest receiveth and beareth well all things that are laid upon him.He who is careless and lukewarm hath trouble upon trouble, and suffereth anguish upon every side, because he is without inwardconsolation, and is forbidden to seek that which is outward.He who is living without discipline is exposed to grievous ruin.He who seeketh easier and lighter discipline shall always be in distress, because one thing or another gives him displeasure.

8.O! if no other duty lay upon us but to praise the Lord our God with our whole heart and voice! Oh! if thou never hadst need to eat or drink, or sleep, but wert always able to praise God, and to give thyself to spiritual exercises alone; then shouldest thou be far happier than now, when for so many necessities thou must serve the flesh.O! that these necessities were not, but only the spiritual refreshment of the soul, which alas we taste too seldom.

9.When a man hath come to this, that he seeketh comfort from no created thing, then doth he perfectly begin to enjoy God, then also will he be well contented with whatsoever shall happen unto him.Then will he neither rejoice for much nor be sorrowful for little, but he committeth himself altogether and with full trust unto God, who is all in all to him, to whom nothing perisheth nor dieth, but all things live to Him and obey His every word without delay.

10.Remember always thine end, and how the time which is lost returneth not.Without care and diligence thou shalt never get virtue.If thou beginnest to grow cold, it shall begin to go ill with thee, but if thou givest thyself unto zeal thou shalt find much peace, and shalt find thy labour the lighter because of the grace of God and the love of virtue.A zealous and diligent man is ready for all things.It is greater labour to resist sins and passions than to toil in bodily labours.He who shunneth not small faults falleth little by little into greater.At eventide thou shalt always be glad if thou spend the day profitably.Watch over thyself, stir thyself up, admonish thyself, and howsoever it be with others, neglect not thyself.The more violence thou dost unto thyself, the more thou shall profit.Amen.

(1) Psalm xxxvii.3.