As I please him in prosperity, I am not unpleasant to him in adversity.

2. A prudent lover considereth not so much the gift of his love, as the love of the giver. He regardeth the love more than the value, and valueth his beloved above all his gifts.

A generous lover resteth not in the gifts, but in me above every gift.

3. Know that thy ancient enemy doth ever strive to hinder thy desire to good, and to divert thee from all religious exercises; to wit, from all devout memory of my passion, from the profitable remembrance of thy sins, from the guard of thine own heart, and from the firm purpose of profiting in virtue.

He injecteth many evil thoughts, that he may cause a weariness in thee, to drive thee from prayer and holy reading.

Humble prayer is displeasing unto him; and if he could, he would cause thee to cease from receiving the sacrament.

Trust him not, care not for him, although he should often set snares for thee.

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If he suggest evil thoughts unto thee, say unto him, Away, unclean spirit; blush miserable wretch; thou art very unclean, that bringest such things to mine ears.

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Away from me, wicked deceiver, thou shalt have no part in me: but Jesus shall be with me as a strong warrior, and thou shalt stand confounded.

"Hold thy peace, and be silent; I will hear thee no more, though thou shouldest work me many

troubles. The Lord is my Light and my Salvation : whom shall I fear? Though hosts of men rise up against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid. The Lord is my Helper and my Redeemer.

CHAPTER VII.

That Grace is to be guarded by Humility. Christ.-THE way of man is not in his power, but it belongeth to God to comfort when he will, and how much he will, and whom he will; as shall please him, and no more.

They that are yet but novices, and unacquainted in the way of the Lord, unless they govern themselves by the counsel of discreet persons, may easily be deceived and overthrown.

2. And if they will rather follow their own judgment, than give credit to others that are experienced, the event will be dangerous.

Seldom those that are self-wise suffer themselves humbly to be governed by others.

Christian.-Shall

am dust and ashes!

speak unto my Lord, who

If I esteem better of myself, behold, thou standest against me; and my iniquities bear true witness against me, neither can I contradict it.

But if I abase and know myself to be nothing, if I renounce all self-esteem, and (as I am) account myself to be but dust; thy grace will be favourable unto me, and thy light will be near my heart.

And all self-esteem shall be swallowed up in the deep valley of my nothingness, and perish everlastingly.

Then thou showest myself unto me, what I am, what I have been, and whither I am come: for I am nothing, and I knew it not.

And if I be left to myself, behold, I become all weakness. But if thou look upon me, I am made strong.

And it is a great marvel, that I am suddenly lifted up, and so graciously embraced by thee, who, by my own weight, always sink downward.

3. Thy love is the cause thereof, freely preventing me, and relieving me in so many necessities; preserving me from many grievous dangers, and delivering me from innumerable evils.

For by inordinately loving myself, I lost myself; and by seeking thee alone, and purely loving thee, I have found both myself and thee; and by that love have more deeply brought myself to nothing.

For thou, O Lord, dealest with me above all desert, above all that I dare hope or ask.

4. Blessed be thou, my God; for although I be unworthy of any benefits, yet thy bounty and thy infinite goodness never cease to do good even to the ungrateful and them that are far from thee.

Turn us unto thee, O Lord, that we may be thankful, humble, and holy; for thou art our power, and our strength, and our salvation.

CHAPTER VIII.

All things are to be referred to God, as to their last End.

Christ.-SON, I ought to be thy last end, if thou desirest to be truly blessed.

By this intention thy affection will be purified, which is often inordinately bent down to itself, and unto creatures.

For, if in any thing thou seekest thyself, thou soon fallest into spiritual dryness.

Refer, therefore, all things unto me; for I am he that hath given all.

Consider every thing as flowing from the highest good and, therefore, all things are to be reduced unto me, as unto their original.

2. Out of me, as out of a living fountain, the little and the great, the poor and the rich, draw the water of life; and they that willingly and freely serve me, shall receive grace for grace.

But he that will glory out of me, or be delighted in any good that tends not to me, shall not be grounded in true joy, nor enlarged in his heart, but shall be many ways incumbered and straitened.

Thou oughtest, therefore, to ascribe nothing of good unto thyself, nor attribute goodness unto any man; but give all unto God, without whom man hath nothing.

I have bestowed all, and will that all be returned unto me again; and, with great strictness, I require thanks.

3. This is the truth that putteth to flight vain glory. And if true love enter in, there shall be no envy, nor straitness of heart, neither shall there be any place for self-love,

For divine love overcometh all, and enlargeth all the powers of the soul.

If thou art truly wise, in me alone thou wilt re

joice, in me alone thou wilt hope: for none is good but God alone, who is to be praised above all things, and to be blessed in all.

CHAPTER IX.

What a sweet thing it is to despise the World, and to serve God.

Christian.-Now I will speak again, O Lord, and will not be silent: I will say in the ears of my God, my Lord, and my King, that is on high:

O how great is the abundance of thy goodness, O Lord, which thou hast laid up for those that fear thee?

But what art thou to them that love thee? what to them that serve thee with their whole heart?

Truly unspeakable is the sweetness of contemplating thee, which thou bestowest on them that love thee.

In this chiefly thou hast showed me the sweetness of thy love: in that when I was not thou madest me; and when I went astray, afar off from thee, thou broughtest me back again, that I might serve thee; and hast commanded me to love thee.

2. O fountain of everlasting love, what shall I say of thee? How can I forget thee, that hast vouchsafed to remember me, even after I had pined away and perished?

Thou hast showed mercy to thy servant, beyond all my expectation. Thou hast exhibited thy favour and friendship beyond all my desert.

What shall I return to thee for this favour? Is