cause we are unthankful to the giver, and return them not wholly to the fountain.

For grace ever attendeth him that is duly thankful; and from the proud shall be taken that which is wont to be given to the humble.

3. I desire not that consolation that taketh from me compunction; nor do I affect that contemplation which leadeth to haughtiness.

For all that is high is not holy; nor all that is sweet, good; nor every desire, pure; nor is everything that is dear unto us pleasing to God.

Willingly do I accept that grace, whereby I may ever be found more humble, and more affected with holy fear, and may become more ready to renounce myself.

He that is taught by the gift of grace, and schooled by the withdrawing thereof, will not dare to attribute any good to himself, but will rather acknowledge himself poor and naked.

Give unto God that which is God's, and ascribe unto thyself that which is thine own; that is, give thanks to God for His grace; and acknowledge that to thyself alone is to be attributed sin, and the punishment due to sin.

4. Set thyself always in the lowest place and the highest shall be given thee; for the highest cannot stand without the lowest.

The chiefest Saints before God are the least in their own judgments; and the more glorious they are, so much the humbler within themselves.

Those that are full of truth and heavenly glory, are not desirous of empty glory.

Those that are firmly settled and grounded in God, can in no way be proud.

And they that ascribe all good unto God, whatsoever they have received, seek not glory one of another, but wish for

that glory which is from God alone; and above all things that God may be praised in Himself, and in all His saints; and are always tending to this very thing.

5. Be therefore thankful for the least gift, so shalt thou be meet to receive greater.

Let the least be unto thee even as the greatest, yea the most contemptible gift as of especial value.

If thou consider the worth of the giver, no gift will seem little, or of too mean esteem. For that cannot be little which is given by the most High God.

Yea, if He should give punishment and stripes, it ought to be matter of thankfulness; because He doeth always for our welfare, whatsoever He permitted to happen unto us.

He that desireth to keep the grace of God, let him be thankful for grace given, and patient for the taking away thereof; let him pray that it may return; let him be cautious and humble, lest he lose it.

CHAPTER XI.

OF THE FEWNESS OF THE LOVERS OF THE CROSS OF JESUS.

ANY love the heavenly kingdom of Jesus, but

few care to bear His Cross.

He hath many desirous of consolation, but few of tribulation.

He findeth many companions of His table,

but few of His abstinence.

All desire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to endure anything for or with Him.

Many follow JESUS unto the breaking of bread; but few to the drinking of the cup of His passion.

Many reverence His miracles, few follow the ignominy of His cross.

Many love Jesus so long as no adversities befall them.

Many praise and bless Him so long as they receive any consolation from Him.

But if Jesus hide Himself, and leave them but a little while, they fall either into complaining, or into too much dejection of mind.

2. But they who love Jesus for His own sake, and not for some special comfort, bless Him in all tribulation and anguish of heart, as well as in the state of highest comfort.

Yea although He should never be willing to give them comfort, they notwithstanding would ever praise Him, and wish to be always giving thanks.

3. O how powerful is the pure love of Jesus, which is mixed up with no self-interest, or self-love!

Are not all those to be called mercenary, who are ever seeking consolations?

Do they not show themselves to be rather lovers of themselves than of Christ, who are always thinking of their own profit and advantage?

Where shall one be found who is willing to serve God for nought?

4. Rarely is any one found so spiritual as to be stripped of all earthly things.

For where is any man to be found that is indeed poor in spirit, and thoroughly void of all leaning on creatures? "From afar, yea from the ends of the earth, is his value."

If a man should give all his substance, yet it is nothing. And if he should practise great repentance, still it is little. And if he should attain to all knowledge, he is still afar off.

And if he should be of great virtue, and of very fervent devotion, yet there is much wanting; especially one thing, which is most necessary for him.

What is that? That leaving all, he forsake himself, and go wholly from himself, and retain no self-love.

And when he hath done all that is to be done, so far as he knoweth, let him think that he hath done nothing.

5. Let him not think that of great weight, which is greatly esteemed; but let him in truth pronounce himself to be an unprofitable servant, as the Truth Himself saith, "When you shall have done all things that are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants."

Then may he be truly poor and naked in spirit, and say with the Prophet, "I am desolate and afflicted."

Yet none is richer than that man, no man more powerful, no man more free; for he knoweth how to leave all things, and to set himself in the lowest place.

CHAPTER XII.

OF THE ROYAL WAY OF THE HOLY CROSS.

NTO many this seemeth a hard speech, "Deny thyself, take up thy cross, and follow JESUS."

But much harder will it be to hear that last word, "Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire."

For they who now willingly hear and follow the word of the cross, shall not then fear to hear the sentence of everlasting damnation.

This sign of the cross shall be in the heaven, when the Lord shall come to judgment.

Then all the servants of the cross, who in their lifetime conformed themselves unto Christ crucified, shall draw near unto Christ the judge with great confidence.

2. Why therefore fearest thou to take up the cross which leadeth thee to a kingdom?

In the cross is salvation, in the cross is life, in the cross is protection against our enemies, in the cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness, in the cross is strength of mind, in the cross joy of spirit, in the cross the height of virtue, in the cross the perfection of sanctity.

There is no salvation of the soul, nor hope of everlasting life, but in the cross.

Take up therefore thy cross and follow JESUS, and thou shalt go into life everlasting. He went before, bearing His cross, and died for thee on the cross; that thou mayest also bear thy cross and desire to die on the cross with Him.

For if thou be dead with Him, thou shalt also live with

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