by the cross of Christ, thou needest not fear the most malignant efforts of thy great adversary the devil.

Dispose thyself, therefore, like a true and faithful servant, to bear with fortitude the cross of thy blessed Lord. Prepare thy spirit to suffer patiently the innumerable inconveniences and troubles of this miserable life; for it is patient suffering alone, that can either disarm their power or heal the wounds they have made.

When thou hast obtained so true a conquest over self-love, that the love of Christ shall make tribulation not only tolerable because unavoidable but welcome because beneficial, all will be well with thee. But while every tribulation is painful and grievous, and it is the desire of thy soul to avoid it, thou canst not but be wretched, and what thou laborest to shun, will follow thee wherever thou goest.

Thy life must be a continual death to the appetites and passions of fallen nature; and be assured, the more perfectly thou diest to thyself, the more truly wilt thou live to God. No man is qualified to understand the stupendous truths of redemption, till he has subdued impatience and self-love, and is ready to suffer adversity for the sake of Christ. If the condition of thy present life was left to thy own choice, thou shouldst prefer suffering affliction for the sake of Christ, to the uninterrupted enjoyment of repose and comfort; for this will render thee conformable to Christ, and all his saints. Indeed, the perfection of our state, depends more upon the pa

tient suffering of long and severe distress, than upon continual consolation and ecstasy.

If any way, but bearing the cross and dying to his own will, could have redeemed man from that fallen life of self in flesh and blood, which is his alienation from, and enmity to God, Christ would have taught it in his word, and established it by his example. But of all that desire to follow him, he has required the bearing of the cross; and, without exception, has said to all," If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

When, therefore, we have read all books, and examined all methods, to find out the path that will lead us to heaven, this conclusion only will remain, that "through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God.”

THE

IMITATION OF CHRIST.

BOOK THIRD.

OF DIVINE ILLUMINATION.

CHAPTER I.

The Blessedness of Internal Conversation with Christ.

DISCIPLE.

I WILL hear what the Lord my God will say.

CHRIST.

Blessed is the soul that listeneth to the voice of the Lord, and from his own lips heareth the word of consolation! Blessed are the ears that receive the soft whispers of the divine breath, and exclude the noise and tumult of the world! Blessed are the eyes shut to material objects, and open and fixed upon those that are spiritual! Blessed are they that examine the state of the internal man; and, by continual exercises of repentance and faith, prepare the mind for a more comprehensive knowledge of the truths of redemption! Blessed are all who delight in the service of God; and who, that

they may live purely to him, disengage their hearts from the cares and pleasures of the world !

DISCIPLE.

Consider these transcendent blessings, O my soul ! and exclude the objects of sensual desire, that thou mayst be able to hear and understand the voice of the Lord thy God. Thy beloved speaketh again.

CHRIST.

I am thy life, thy peace, and thy salvation: keep Dethyself united to me, and thou shalt find rest. sire not the transitory enjoyments of earth, but seek after the eternal enjoyments prepared for thee in heaven for what are those transitory enjoyments, but delusions and snares? and what can all creatures avail thee, when thou hast forsaken the Creator? Abandon, therefore, created things, that by a faithful and pure adherence, thou mayst be acceptable to Him in whom thou hast thy being, and, in union with his Spirit, enjoy everlasting felicity.

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CHAPTER II.

Communion with God.

DISCIPLE.

"SPEAK, Lord, for thy servant heareth. I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies." Incline my heart to the words of thy mouth: "Let thy speech distil as the dew!"

The children of Israel once said to Moses, “Speak thou with us, and we will hear : let not God speak with us, lest we die." I pray not in this manner : no, Lord, I pray not so; but, with the prophet Samuel, humbly and ardently entreat, " Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." Let not Moses speak to me, nor any of the prophets; but speak thou, O Lord God, the inspirer and enlightener of all the prophets for thou alone, without their intervention, canst perfectly instruct me; but, without thee, they can profit me nothing.

Thy ministers can pronounce the words, but cannot impart the Spirit: they may entertain the fancy with the charms of eloquence; but if thou art silent, they do not inflame the heart. They administer the letter, but thou openest the sense; they utter the mystery, but thou revealest its meaning; they publish thy laws, but thou conferrest the power of obedience; they point out the way to life, but thou bestowest strength to walk in it: "they water, but thou givest the increase;" their voice soundeth in the ear, but it is thou that givest understanding to the heart. Therefore, do thou, O Lord my God, Eternal Truth! speak to my soul; lest, being outwardly warned, but not inwardly quickened, I die, and be found unfruitful: lest the word heard and not obeyed, known and not loved, professed and not kept, turn to my condemnation. "Speak," therefore, "Lord, for thy servant heareth :" "Thou" only "hast the words of eternal life!" O speak, to the comfort of my soul, to the renovation of my nature, and to the, eternal praise and glory of thy own holy name!