CHAPTER XVIII.

Of Four Things that bring much Peace.

Christ.-SON, now I will teach thee the way of peace and true liberty. Endeavour to do rather the will of another than thine own.

rather to have less than none.

Ever choose

Always seek the lowest place and to be beneath every one. Continually wish and pray that the will of God may be wholly fulfilled in thee.

Behold such a man entereth into the bonds of peace and quietness.

2. Christ.-Lord, this thy short speech containeth much perfection.

Thou who canst do all things, and ever lovest the profiting of my soul, increase in me thy grace, that I may fulfil thy works and work out my own salvation.

My Lord God, be not far from me; my God, consider and help me; for sundry thoughts have risen up against me, afflicting my soul.

How shall I pass through them without hurt? How shall I utterly break them?

Christ. I will go before thee, and will humble the great ones of the earth. I will open the doors of the prison, and reveal unto thee hidden secrets. Christian.-Do, Lord, as thou sayest; and let

all evil thoughts flee before thy face.

This is my hope, my only comfort, to flee unto thee in every tribulation; to trust in thee to call upon thee from my heart, and to expect patiently thy comfort.

3. Enlighten me, O good Jesus, with a clear, shining, inward light, and drive away all darkness from the habitation of my heart.

Repress my wandering thoughts, and drive away those temptations which violently assault me.

Fight strongly for me, and vanquish those evil beasts, these enticing lusts; that so peace may be obtained by thy power, and abundance of thy praise found in the holy court of a pure conscience.

the

Command the winds and the tempests: say unto sea, "Be still;" and to the north wind," Blow, not; and there shall be a great calm.

Send forth thy light and thy truth, that they may shine upon the earth: for I am as the earth, without form and void, until thou enlighten me.

Pour out thy grace from above, let thy heavenly dew distil upon my heart.

Supply streams of devotion to water the face of the earth, that it may bring forth good and excellent fruit.

Lift up my mind, which is pressed down by the weight of my sins. Draw up my whole desire to heavenly things, that having tasted the sweetness of supernatural happiness, it may be irksome to me even to think of earthly vanities.

4. Snatch me, and deliver me from all the unlasting comfort of creatures; for no created thing can fully comfort and quiet my desire.

Join me unto thee with an inseparable band of love; for thou alone dost satisfy him that loveth thee, and without thee all things are frivolous.

CHAPTER XIX.

Of avoiding curious Inquiry into the Life of others.

Christ.-SON, be not curious; trouble not thyself with idle cares.

What is this or that to thee? Follow thou me. For what is it to thee whether this man be such or not? whether this man do or speak this or that? Thou shalt not need to answer for others, but shalt give account of thyself.

Behold I know every one, and see all things that are under the sun, and understand how it is with every one, what he thinks, what he desires, and at what his intention aims.

All things, therefore, ought to be committed unto me; but do thou keep thyself in peace, and let him that acts, act as he will.

Whatsoever he shall have done or said, shall fall upon himself; for he cannot deceive me.

2. Be not careful for the shadow of a great name, or for the friendship of many; nor for the affection of particular men. For these things distract and

greatly darken the heart.

I would willingly utter my words, and reveal my secrets unto thee, if thou didst diligently observe my coming, and open the door of thy heart unto me.

Be careful, and watch in prayer, and humble thyself in all things.

CHAPTER XX.

Wherein firm Peace of Heart, and true profiting consist.

Christ.-SON, I have said, " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you."

All desire peace, but all care not for those things that appertain to peace.

My peace is with the humble and meek of heart. Thy peace doth consist in much patience. If thou wilt hear me and follow my voice, thou mayest enjoy much peace.

Christian.-What, then, shall I do, Lord?

Christ. In every thing attend unto thyself, what thou doest, and what thou sayest, and direct thy whole attention unto this, that thou mayest please me alone, and desire nothing beside me.

Of the sayings and doings of others, judge not rashly, neither do thou entangle thyself with things not committed unto thee: and doing thus thou shalt be little or seldom troubled.

Yet do not esteem highly of thyself, or account thyself to be especially beloved, if thou be in great devotion and sweetness: for the profiting and perfection of a man consist not in these things.

2 Christian.-Wherein then, Lord?

Christ. In offering thyself with thy whole heart unto the will of God.

So that thou keepest one and the same even countenance with thanksgiving, both in prosperity and adversity, weighing all in an equal balance.

If thou preparest thy heart to suffer, and dost not justify thyself, as though thou oughtest not to suffer these so great afflictions, but justifiest me in whatsoever I appoint, and praisest my holy name; then thou walkest in the true and right way of peace.

And if thou attain to the full contempt of thyself, then shalt thou enjoy abundance of peace.

CHAPTER XXI.

Of the excellent Liberty which humble Prayer sooner gaineth than Reading.

Christian.-LORD, it is the work of a perfect man never to slacken his mind from the attentive thought of heavenly things, and to pass without care among many cares: not like a dull sluggard; but by a free mind adhering to no creature with inordinate affection.

2. I beseech thee, my most gracious God, preserve me from the cares of this life, lest I be entangled thereby ; and from the many necessities of the body, lest I should be caught by pleasure; and from whatsoever is an obstacle to the soul, lest, broken with troubles, I should be overthrown.

3. O my God, who art ineffable sweetness, embitter unto me all comfort, which draws me away from the love of eternal things by the hope of present delight.

Let me not be overcome, O Lord, let me not be overcome by flesh and blood. Let not the world and the short glory thereof deceive me.