3\xS\ — J .a&J I School of Theology | c THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY SLEDD COLLECTION, No w"j[ i \ A W EXTRA C T OF T,HE C H R 1ST IA N's PATTERN: O R, A TREATISE O F T H E Imitation of Chris t. Written in Latin by Thomas a Kempis, Publifhed by John Wesley, M. A. Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford. LONDON: Printed by W. Strahan : And Sold at the Foundery near Upper Moorfelds ; at J a mi sHutton's, Book- feller, at the Bible and Son without Temple-Bnr ; and at John Lewis's in Bartholomeul : And he is very unwife, that minds any other things than thofe that tend to the Welfare of his Soul. Many Words do not fatisfy the Soul; but a pure Confcience giveth Confidence towards God. 3. The more thou knowell, and the better thou * under- The Chrijlian's Pattern. 5 underftandeft ; the more grievoufly fhalt thou be judged, unlefs thy life be the more holy. Be not therefore lifted up, but rather let the Know¬ ledge given thee, make thee afraid. If thou thinkeft that thou knoweft much ; yet there are many more things which thou knoweft not. Be not over-wife, but rather acknowledge thine own ignorance. If thou wilt know any thing profitably, love to be unknown, and of no Account. 4. The higheft and moft profitable LefTon is, the true Knowledge of ourfelves. It is great Wifdom to efteem ourfelves nothing, and to think always well and highly of others. If thou fhouldft fee another openly fin, yet ought- eft thou not to efteem thyfelf better than him. We are all frail, but remember, none more frail than thyfelf. CHAP III. Of the DoSirine of Truth. HAppy is he whom Truth itfelf teachetb, not by Figures and Words that pafs away ; but by an immediate Communication of itfelf. Our own Opinion and our own Senfe often deceive u^, and difcern little. What availeth it to difpute about hidden Things, for being ignorant of which we (hail not be reproved at the Day of Judgment ? It is great Folly to negledl Things profitable, and to think of curious or hurtful.Things. 2. And what have we to do with dry Notions ? He, to whom the Eternal Word fpeaketh, is de¬ livered from a World of vain Notions. From the One Word are all Things, and all fpeak that One: And this is He, who alio fpeaketh unto us, Ho Man underllandeth or judgpth rightly without Him. He, to. whom all Things are One, who rec'uceth A a ad 6 'The Chriflian's Pattern. all Things to One, and feeth all Things in One, may be ftable in H trt, ind remain peaceable in God. 0 Gor, the h, make me One with thee in everiafting Love? 1 am wearv of reading and hearing many Things j in thee is All cha, I defire. Let all Creatures be filentin thy fight; fpeak thou alone unto me. 3. The more fimple any one is, the more doth ha underftand without labour ; becauie he receiveth the Light of Knowledge from above. A pure, fimple, and ftable Spirit is not diflipated, tho' it be employed in many Works: Becaufe it does all to the Glory of God, and feeks not ltfelf in any Thing it doth. Who hinders and troubles thee but the unmortified Affedlion of thine own Heart ? * Who hath a fharper combat, than he that labour- eth to overcome himfelf? This .ought to be our Bufinefs, to conquer our- felves, and daily to advance in Holinefs. 4. All Perfection in this Life hath fome Imper¬ fection mixed with it ; and no Knowledge of ours is without forne Darknefs. An humble Knowledge of thyfelf is a furer Way to God, than a deep Search after Science. , Yet Knowledge is not to be blamed, 'it being good in i tie if, and ordained by God ; but a good Confcience and a virtuous life is always to be prefer¬ red before it. 5. O ! if Men beftowed as much Labour in the rooting out of Vices, as they do in moving of aue- ftions, there would not be fo great Wickednefs, nor fo much Hurt done in the World. Surely at the Day of Judgment we fhall not be examined what we have read, but what we have done : Not how well we have ipoken, but how reli- gioufly we have lived. 'fell me, where are now all thofe DoClors and Matters with whom thou waft well acquainted whilft they lived and flouiilhed in Learning? Now The Chrijiiarfs Pattern. f Now ethers poilefs t-heir Preferments, and perhaps do fcarce ever think of them. In their Life-time they feemed fomething, but now they are not fpo- ken of. 6. O, how quickly doth the Glory of the World pafs away O, that their Life had been anfwerable to their Learning ! then had their Study been to good Purpofe. How many perifh in this World, becaufe they ra¬ ther choofe to be great than humble ? Therefore the/ become vain in their Imaginations. He is truly great, that is great in Love. He is truly great, that is little in his own Eyes, and that maketh no Account of any Heighth of Honour. He is truly wife, that accounteth all earthly Things as Dung, that he may win Christ. And he is truly learned,, that doth the Will of God, and forfaketh his own Will. CHAP. IV. Of Prudence in our Actions. rE mud not give Ear to every Saying or Sug- gedion, but warily and leifurely ponder Things .according to the Will of God. But alas! fuch is our Weaknefs, that we often more eafily believe, and fpeak Evil of others than Good. Good Men do not eafily give Credit to every Thing one tells them ; becaule they know human Frailty prone to Evil, and Very fubjedt to fail in Words. 2. It is great Wifdom not to be rafh in thy Pro¬ ceedings, nor to dand itifly in thine own Opinion. It is Wifdom not to believe every Thing which thou heared, nor prefentiy to relate again to others what thou had heard or dod believe. Confuit with a wife and conlciencious Man, and feek to be indrufled by a better than thyfelf, rather than to follow thine own inventions. A good t "the Chrijlian*s Pattern. A good Life maketh a Man wife according to God, and giveth him Experience in many Things. The humbler one is, and morerefigned unto God, the more prudent and contented ihall he be in all Things. CHAP V. Of reading the holy Scriptures. TRuth, not Eloquence, is to be fought for in holy Scripture. All Scripture is to be read with the fame Spirit wherewith it was written. We ought to read plain and devout Books as wil¬ lingly as high and profound ones. Let not the Authority of the Writer, whether he be of great or fmall Learning, but the Love of pure Truth, draw thee to read. Search not who fpake this, but mark what is fpoken. 2. Men pafs away ; but the Truth of the Lord remaineth for ever. God fpeaks unto us fundry Ways, without refpedt of Perfons. Our own Curiofity often hindreth us in reading of the Scriptures, when we will examine and difcufs that which we fhould rather pafs over without more ado. If thou defire to profit, read humbly, fimply, and faithfully. Enquire willingly, and hear with Silence the Words of holy Men; diflike not the Parables of the Elders, for they are not fpoken without Caufe. C H A P. VI. Of avoiding vain Hope and Pride. HE is vain that putteth his Trull in Man or Creatures. he not afhamed to ferve others for the L've of ■ J esus The Chriftian's "Pattern, t) Jesus Chr st ; nor to be efteemed poor in this World. Prefume not upon thyfelf, but place thy Hope in God Do what Iieth in thy Power, and God will aflift thy good Will. Truft not in thine own Knowledge, nor in any living Creature : But rather in the Grace of God ; who hclpeth the humble, and humbleth the proud. 2. Glory not in Wealth, nor in Friends; but in God, who giveth all Things, and defireth to give thee himfelf above all. Value not thyfelf for the Strength or Beauty of thy Body, which is fpoiled and disfigured with a little Sicknefs. Pride not thyfelf in thy natural Gifts or Wit, left thereby thou difpleafe God. 3. Efteem not thyfelf better than others, left in the Sight of God, thou be accounted worfe than they. Be not proud of thy good Works : For the Judg¬ ment of God is far different from the Judgment of Men. If there be any good in thee, believe that there is much more in others. It hurts thee not, if thou thinkeft thyfelf worfe than all Men : But it hurts thee much to prefer thy¬ felf before any one Man. The humble enjoy continual Peace; but in the Heart of the Proud is Envy and frequent Indignation. CHAP. VII, That too much Familiarity is to he Jhunned. LAy not thy Heart open to every one; but treat of thy Affairs with the Wife, and fuch as fear God. Converfe not much with young People and Strang¬ ers. Flatter not the rich ; neither do thou appear wil¬ lingly before great Perfons. Keep i o The Chriftian's Pattern. Keep Company with the humble and Ample, with the dpvout and virtuous j and confer with them of thofe Things that may edify. Be not familiar with any Women ; but in general command all good Women to God. Dpiire to be familiar with God alone and his An¬ gels, and fly the Knowledge of Men. We mull have Charity towards all; but Familia¬ rity with all is not expedient. CHAP. VIII. Of avoiding Superfluity of Words. FLY the Tumult of the World as much as thou canlt. For we are quickly defiled, and enthralled with Vanity. I could wifh that I had oftentimes held my Peace, and that I had not been in Company. Why are we fo fond of converfation, when not- withftanding we feldom return to Silence without Hurt of Confcience ? We willingly talk of thofe Things which we moft love or defire, or of thofe which we feel moft con¬ trary and troublefome unto us. But alas, oftentimes in vain, and to no End : for this outward Comfort doth obftrutt the inward Con- folation. Therefore we mull watch and pray, left our Time pafs away idly. 2. If it be lawful and expedient for thee to fpeak, fpeak thofe Things that may edify. However, devout Converfation upon fpiritual Sub« je£ls doth greatly further our fpiritual Growth, efpe- cially where Perfons of one Mind and Spirit are joined together in God. C H A P. The Chrijlian's Tat tern, it CHAP. IX. Of the obtaining of Peace, and Zeal for Improve¬ ment. WE might enjoy much Peace if we would not bufy ourfelves with the Words and Deeds of others, in which we have no Concern. How can he live long in Peace, that meddles with the Cares of others, and little or feldom recolledteth himfelf within his own Breaft ? Blefled are the fingle-hearted, for they fhall enjoy much Peace. We are too much taken up with our own Pallions, and too folicitous for tranfitory Things. We are not inflamed with a fervent Defire to grow better every Day ; and therefore we remain cold and indifferent. 3. If we were dead unto ourfelves, and dilingaged from low Affe&ions; then fhould we relifh divine Things. But when any Adverfity befalleth us we turn our¬ felves to human Comforts. 4. If we woald endeavour, like Men of Courage, to Hand in the Battle ; we Ihould furely feel the Af- fiftanceof God from Heaven. For he furnilheth us with Occafions of driving, that we may conquer. If we place our Progrefs in Religion only in out¬ ward Observances, our Devotion will quickly be at an End. But let us lay the Axe to the Root, that being freed from Paflions, we may find Reft to our Souls. CHAP. X. Of the TJfefulnefs of Adverfity. IT is good that we have fometimes Troubles and Crofles ; for they often make a Man enter into himfelf, and confider that he ought not to place his Truft in any worldly Thing. It 1* The Chriftian's Pattern. It is good that we be fometimes contradidied ; and that Men think ill of us: And this, altho' we do, and intend well. For then we more diligently feek God for our inward Witnefs, when outwardly we are contemned by Men. 2. Therefore a Man fhould fettle himfelf fo fully in God, that he need not feek Comforts of Men. When a Man is afflidled, tempted, or troubled with evil Thoughts; then he underftandeth better the great Need he hath of God. 5. So long as we live in this World, we cannot be without Temptation. Hence it is written in Job, the Life of Man is a Warfare upon Earth. Every one therefore ought to take Care as to his own Temptations, and to watch in Prayer, left he be deceived by the Devil; who never fleepeth, but gocth about feeking whom he may devour. 4. Temptations are often very profitable to Men, tho' they be troublefome and grievous: For by them a Man is humbled, purified, and inftru&ed. All the Saints have pafled through, and profited by many Tribulations and Temptations; And they that could not bear Temptations, became Reprobates and fell away. There is no Place fo fccret, where there are not Temptations. 5. There is no Man thit is altogether fecure from Temptations, whilft he liveth. When one Temptation goeth away, another Com¬ eth, and we {hall ever have fomething to fuffer. Many feek to fly Temptations, aijd fall more grievoufly into them. By Flight alone we cannot overcome, but by Pa¬ tience and Humility we conquer all our Enemies. 6. He that only avoioeth them outwardly, and doth not pluck them up by ,the Roots, fnali profit little; yea, Temptations will fooner return unto him, and he fhall feel them worfe than ifcfore. ~ / By — - ry&.: cthe Cbrijliatfs Pattern. , s $ By Patience (through God's Help) thou -rflialc more eafily overcome, than by harlh and difquieting Efforts in thy own Strength. Often take Counfel in Temptations ; and deaf, not roughly with him that is tempted. 7. The Beginning of Temptations is Inconftancy of Mind, and little Confidence in God. For as a Ship without a Rudder is toffed to and fro with the Waves; fo the Man that is negligent is many Ways tempted. Piretrieth Iron, and Temptation a juft Man. We know not often what we aie able to do, but Temptations fhew us what we are. We muft be watchful, efpecially in the Beginning of the Temptation ; for the Enemy is then more ea- iily overcome, if he be not fuffered to enter'.the Door of our Hearts, but be refilled without the Gate at his.firlt Knock. Wherefore one faid, vvithftand the Beginnings. Por an after Remedy comes too late. Firlt there occurreth to the Mind a fimple evil Thought; then a llrong Imagination; afterwards Delight; and lallly Conlent. And fo by little and little our malicious Enemy getteth Entrance, whilft he is not refilled in the Be¬ ginning. And the longer one is Hack in refilling, the weak- «r he becomes daily, and the Enemy llronger again 11 him. , 6. Some fuller the -greated Temptations in the Be¬ ginning of their Converfion ; others in the latter End. Others again are much troubled almoll throughout their Life. 1 Some are but flightly tempted according to thd Wifdom, which weigheth the llates of Men, and or- dereth all Things for the Good of his Eledt. 7. We ought therefore, when we are temptea, fo -much the more fervently to pray unto God, who furdy will give with the Temptation a Way to es¬ cape, that we may be able to bear it. Xet us therefore humble ourfelves under the Hand E «f 14- • fhe Chriftian* s Pattern. of God in all Temptations and Tribulations; for he will exalt the humble in Spirit. 8. In Temptations and Afflictions, Man is proved how much he hath profited. Neither is it any fuch great Thing if a Man be de¬ vout and fervent, when he feeleth no Affliction; but if, in Time of Adverfity, he bear himfelf patiently, there is Hope then of great Proficiency. Some are kept from great Temptations, and are overcome in fmall ones; that being humbled, they jnay never truft themfelves in great Matters, who arc baffled in fo fmall Things. CHAP. XI. Of avoiding rajh Judgment. TUrn thine Eyes unto thyfelf, and beware thou judge not the Deeds of other Men. In judging of others a Man laboureth in vain, often crreth, and eafily finneth : BQt in judging and exa. mining himfelf, he always laboureth fruitfully. We often judge of Things according as we fancy them ; for Affeftion bereaves us eafily of a right Judgment. If God were always our Defire, we fhould not be fo much troubled, wheo our Inclination is oppofed. 2. But oftentimes fomething lurks within, which draweth us after it. Many fecretly feek themfelves in their AClions, and know it not. They live in Peace of Mind, when Things are done according to their Will; but if Things fucceed ©therwife than they defire, they are ftraitways trou¬ bled. Diverfity of Inclinations and Opinions, often caufes Difienfions between religious Perfons, between Friends and Countrynien. 3; An old Cuftom is hardly broken, and no Man is willing to be led further than himfelf can fee. If thou doft more rely upon thine own Reafon, than upon Jesus Christ ; late, if ever fhait thou become illuminated. CHAP. The Chrijtiarfs "Pattern. CHAP. XII. Of TVirks done out of Charity. THe outward Work without Charity profitetk nothing ; but vvhatfoever is done out of Chari¬ ty, be it never fo little and contemptible in the Sight of the World, is wholly fruitful. For God weigheth more with how much Love on© worketh, than how much he doeth. He doeth much, that loveth much. 2. He doeth much, that doeth a Thing well: He doeth well, that ferveth his Neighbour, and not his own Will. Often it feemeth to be Charity, and it is rather Car¬ nality; becaufe natural Inclination, Self-will, hope of Reward, and Defire of our own Interell, are Mo¬ tives that Men are rarely free from. 3. Fie that hath true and perfeCl Charity, feeketh himfelf in nothing; but only defireth in all Thi»gs that God Ihould be exalted. He envieth none, becaufe he feeketh not his own Satisfa&ion ; Neither rejoiceth in himfelf; but chufes God only for his Portion. He attributeth nothing that is good to any Man, but wholly referreth it unto God, from whom, as from the Fountain, all Things proceed; in whom fi¬ nally all the Saints do reft. O, he that had but one Spark of true Charity, would certainly difcern that all earthly Things are full of Vanity. CHAP. XIII. Of bearing with the Defeats of others. THofe Things, that a Man cannot amend in him¬ felf, or in others, he ought to fuffer patiently, until Gdo order Things otherwife. Think that perhaps it is better fo for thy Tryal and Patience. 2. If one that is once or twice warned will not B 2 give 16 *£he Cbrifliarfs Fat tern. give over, contend not* with him : But commit all to God, that his Will may be done, and his Name honoured in all his Servants, who well knoweth how to turn.Evil into Good. Study to be patient in bearing with the Defedts and Infirmities of others, of what Sort foever they be ; for that thou thyfelf alfo haft many, which mult be fuffered by others. If thou canfl not make thyfelf fuch a one as thou wouldft, how canft thou expedt to have another in all Things to thy Liking? We would willingly have others perfedt, and yet yve amend not our own Faults. 3. We would have others exadlly corredted, and will not be corredted ourfelves. The Liberty of others difpleafeth us, and yet we will not have our Defires denied. Thus it appears, how feldom we weigh our Neigh¬ bour in the fame Balance with ourfelves. 4. If all Men were perfedt, what fhould we hav® to fuffer of our Neighbour for God ? But now God hath thus ordered it, that we may learn to bear one another's Burdens; for no Man is without Fault, no Man but hath his Burden, no Man is felf-fuffic.'ent, no Man has Wifdom enough for himfelf; but we ought to bear with one another, comfort, help, inllrudl, and admonilh one another. Occafions of Adverfity bell difcover how great Virtue each one hath ; For Occafions make not a Man frail, but fheweth what he is. CHAP. XIV. Of the Examples of the holy Fathers. COnfider the lively Examples of the holy Fathers, in whom true Religion fhined ; and thou lhalt fee how little it is, and almoft nothing which we do now. Alas: what is our Life, if it be compared to them. Thefe The Chriftiatfs Pattern. 17 Thefe Saints and Friends of Christ ferved the l^ORD in Hunger and Thirft, in Cold and Naked- nefs, in Labour and Wearinefs, in Watchings and Faftings, in Perfecutions and many Reproaches, 2. O, how many and grievous Tribulations fuf- fered the Apoftles, Martyrs, Confefiors, Virgins, and all the reft that would follow the Steps of Ch r ist ? They hated their Lives in this World, that they might poffefs their Souls in everlafting Life ! O how ftridt and Self renouncing a Life, led thofe holy Fathers in the Wildernefs ! How long and grievous Temptations fuffered they ! How often were they aflaulted by the Enemy ! What frequent and fer¬ vent Prayers offered they to God ! How rigorous an Abftinence did.they daily ufe ! How great Zeal and Care had they of their fpiritual Proficiency ! How ftrong a Combat had they for the overcoming of therr Lufts ! How pure and upright an Intention did they preferve unto God ! All the Day they laboured, and fpent Part of the Night in Prayer ; altho', even while they laboured, they did not ceafe from mental Prayer. 3. They fpent all their Time ufefully : all their Hours of Devotion feemed fhort; and, by Reafon of the great Sweetnefs they felt in Contemplation, they forgot the Neceffrty of corporal Refrefhments. They renounced all Riches, Dignities, Honours, Friends and Kinsfolks; they defired to have nothing of the World ; they took no more of any Thing than was neceffary for the Suftenance of Life. They were poor in earthly Things, but rich m Grace. Outwardly they wanted, but inwardly were re- frefhed with divine Confolation. 4 They were Strangers to the World, but Friends to God. They feemed to themfelves as nothing, and were defpifed by the World ; but they were precious in the Eyes of God. They were grounded in Humility, Walked in Love and Patience, and therefore profited daily in Spirit. B 3; Help 18 The Cbrijlian's Pattern. Help me, O Lord God, in thy holy Service; and grant that I may now this Day begin perfectly : For that which 1 have done hitherto is nothing. Much Diligence is neceftary to him that will profit much. If he that firmly purpofeth often faileth, what fhall he do, that feldom, or feebly, purpofeth any thing ? It may fall out fundry Ways that we break our Refolution, and a little Omiflion of fpiritual Exerci- fes feldom palfes without fome Lofs. The Purpofe of juft Men depends not fo much up¬ on their own Wifdom, as upon the Grace of God, on whom they always rely, vvhatfoever they take in hand. For Man doth propofe, but God doth difpofe $ neither is the Way of Man in himfelf. 3. If an accuftomed Exercife be fometimes omit, ted, either for fome Aft of Piety, or Profit to thy Brother, it may eafily afterwards, be recovered again. But to omit it out of Sloth, or Carelefsnefs, is very blameable, and will be found pernicious. We mull diligently fearch into, and regulate both the outward and inward Man, becaufe both contri¬ bute to our Advancement. Gird thy loins like a Man againft the AlTaults of the Devil ; bridle thy Appetite, and thou fhalt the more eafily bridle all the Motions of the Flelh. Be thou at no Time idle altogether, but either reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or endeavouring fomething for the publick Good. Blt/fcd is that Servant (faith St. Luke the Evange- lift) whom when bis I ord cometb be Jhall find watching ; verily, I /ay unto you, be Jkall make bim Ruler aver all bis Goads, CHAP. !The Chriftian's Pattern. CHAP. XV. Of the Love of Solitude and Silence. SEek a convenient Time to retire into thyfelf. Meddle not with Curiolicies; Read fuch Things as may rather yield Compunc* tion of Heart, than bufy thy Head. If thou wilt withdraw thyfelf from fuperfluous Talk and ufelefs Vifits, as alio from hearkening af¬ ter News and Rumours ; thou fhalt find fufficienc Leifure to meditate on good Things. 2. One laid, As often as I have been among Men, I returned lefs a Man ; and this we often find true, when we have been long in Company. It is eafier not to fpeak at all, than not to fpeak more than we ftiould. It is eafier to kee.p at Home, than to be fufficient- ly upon our Guard when we are abroad. He therefore, that intends to attain to inward and fpiritual Things, mult with Jesus retiie from the Multitude. No Man fafely goes abroad, but he who is willing to ftay at home : No Man can fpeak fafely, but he who is willing to hold his Peace. No Man rukth fafely, but he that is willing to be ruled. No Man fafely commands, but he that hath learn¬ ed readily to obey. 3. No Man fafely rejoiceth, unlefs he hath within him the reitimony of a good Confidence ; And yet the Security of the Saints was always full of'the Fear of God. Neither were they lefs careful and humble in them- felves, becaufe they Ihined outwardly with Grace and great Virtues. 4. Thofe have often through Confidence in them- felves fallen into the greateft Dangers, who have been in the greateft Efteem among Men. Wherefore it is more profitable to many not to be altogether "20 The Ohriftiarfs Pattern. altogether free from Temptations, left they fhould bff too fecure, left they ftiould be puffed up with Pride, or too freely decline to worldly Comforts. O how good a Conlcience would he keep, that would never feek after tranfitory Joy, nor entangle himfelf with the Things of this World ! O how great Peace and Quietnefs would he pof- fefs, that would cutoff all vain Solicitude, and think only upon divine Things, and fuch as are profitable for his Soul ! If thou defireft Compunttion of Heart, enter into thy Clofet, and fhut out the Tumults of the World, according to the Advice of the Pfalmift (iv. 4..) Commune with jour own Heart, and in your Chamber, and be ft ill. In thy Clofet thou fhalt find what abroad thou of¬ ten lofeft. The more thou frequenteft thy Clofet, the more thou wilt like it; the lefs thou comeft thereunto, the more thou wilt loath it. If in the Beginning of thy Converfion thou paffeft much Time in it, it will afterwards be to thee a dear Friend, and pleafant Comfort. 5. In Silence and in Stilnefs a religious Soul prO- fiteth, and learneth the hidden Truths of holy Scrip¬ ture. There fhe findeth Rivers of Tears, and may be fo much the more familiar with her Creator, by how much the further off fhe liveth from all worldly Tu¬ mult. 6. Why art thou defirous to fee that which is un¬ lawful for thee to enjoy ? For the World paffeth away, and rhe Defire thereof. Our fenfual Defireg draw us to rove abroad; but when the Time is paffed, what carrieft thou home with thee, but a burdened Confcience and diffipated Heart ? A merry going out often brirgeth a mournful Re¬ turn, and a joyful Evening a fad Morning. So all carnal Joys enter pleafantly, but in the end bi;e and fting to Death. What The Chriftiatfs Pattern. /1$• What canft thou lee elfewhere, which thou canft not fee here : Behold the Heaven and the Earfh, and all the Elements; for of thefe are all Things created. 7. What canft thou fee any where, that can long continue under the Sun ? Thou thinkeft perchance to fatisfy thyfelf, but thou canft never attain it. Shouldll thou fee all the Things of this World', what v/ere it hut a vain Sight? Lift up thine Eyes to Goo in the higheft, and pray to him to rardon all thy Sins. Leave vain Things to the Vain, but be thou intent upon thofeThings wnich God commandeth thee. Shut thy Door upon thee, and cali unto thee Je¬ sus, thy Beloved Stay with him in thy Clofet; for thou fhalt not find fo great Peace any where elfe. Hadft thou not gone abroad and hearkened to idle Rumours, thou mighteft the better have remained in Peace. But fo long as thou delighted to hear No¬ velties, thou muft endure Trouble of Heart. CHAP. XVI. Of Compunction of Heart,- IF thou wilt make any Progrefs, keep thyfelf in the Fear of God, and ufe not too much Liberty. Keep all thy Senfes under Difcipline, and give not thyfelf over to trifling Mirth. z. The Levity of our Minds, and want of Con¬ cern for our Faults, maketh us lofe the Senfe of our inward State, and often laugh when we have Caufe t© weep. There is no true Liberty nor right Gladnefs, but in the Fear of God and a good Confcience. Happy is he, that can avoid all diftradting impe¬ diments, and recolledl himfelf in holy Compundtion. Happy is he, that can abandon all that may defile or burden his Confcience. Refill manfully ; One Cuftom overcometh another. 3. Bufy 22 The Chriftrari s Pattern. 3. Bufy not thyfelf in Matters which appertain to others; neither trouble thyfelf with the Affairs of thy Betters. Still have an Eye to thyfelf firft, and be fure to admonifh thyfelf before all thy Friends. If thou haft not the Favour of Men, be not griev¬ ed at it; but grieve that thou doft not carry thyfelf fo warily and circumfpe&ly as becometh the Seivznt of God. It is often better and fafer that a Man hath not many Confolations in this Life, efpecially worldly ones. But that we have not at all or feldom divine Confolations, is our own Fault, becaufe we do not altogether forfake vain Comforts. 4. Didft thou oftener think of thy Death, than of thy living long, there is no Queftion but thou would be more zealous to amend. I believe thou wouldft willingly undergo any La¬ bour, or Sorrow, or Aufterity, if thou didft confider within thyfelf the Pains of a future State. fut becaufe thefe Things enter not into the Heart, we ftill love the Things of the World, there¬ fore we remain cold and flothful. Miferable thou art wherefoever thon be, or whi- therfoever thou turneft, unlefs thou turn thyfelf to God. Who is in the belt Cafe ? He who can fuffer fome- thing for God. O Brother, quit not thy Hope of profiting in fpi- ritual Things: There is yet Time, the Hour is not yet pafled. 5. Why wilt thou defer thy good Purpofe ? Arife, begin this Inftant, and fay, Now is the Time to be doing, now is the Time to be driv¬ ing, now is the Time to amend. But unlefs thou doft Violence to thyfelf thou flialt never get the Victory over Sin. CHAP, Tke Chrijlian's Pattern. 23 CHAP. XVII. Of the Meditation of Death. THis Life will foon be at an End : Confider therefore how thy Affairs ftand as to the next. Man is here to day ; to-morrow he is gone. When he is out of Sight, he is foon forgot. Thou fhouldft fo order thyfelf in all thy Thoughts and all thy A&ions, as if thou wei t to die to-day. Hadft thou a clear Confcience, thou wouldft not fear Death. It were better to avoid Sin, than to fly Death. If thou art not prepared to-day, how wilt thou be to morrow ? To-morrow is uncertain, and how knowefttho* that thou fhalt live till to-morrow ? 2. What availeth it to live long, when we are f© little the better ? Alas! long Life doth not always mend us: But often increafeth Guilt. O that we had fpent but one Day well in this World ! 3. When it is Morning, think thou maj-eft die before Night. When Evening comes, dare not to promife thy¬ felf the next Morning. Be therefore always in Readinefs, and fo live, that Death may never take thee unprepared. Many die fuadenly, _ and when they look not for it ; for in fuch an Hour as jou think not, the Son of Man cometh, Matth. xxiv. 44. When that laft Hour fhall come, thou wilt have a far different Opinion of thy whole Life. 4. How wife and happy is he, that laboureth to be fuch in his Life, as he will wifh to be found at the Hour of his Death .' Whilft thou art in Eealth, thou ma\ft do much Good ; but when thou art fick, I know not what tjieu wilt be able to do. Few fhe Chrijliatfs Pattern. Few by Sicknefs grow better ; and they who tra* vel much are feldom ianftified. 5. Truft not in Friends and Kindred, neither put off the Care of thy Soul till hereafter ; for Men will fooner forget thee, than thou art aware of. If thou beeft not careful for thyfelf now, who will be careful for thee hereafter ? The Time prefent is very precious, now are the Days of Salvation, now is the acceptable Time. But alas ! that thou Ihouldlt fpend thy Time no better here, where thou mighteft purchafe Life eter¬ nal. The Time will come when thou fhalt defire ..one Day or Hour to amend in, and I cannot fay that it will be granted thee. 6. Ah Fool, why doft thou think to live long, when thou canft not promife to thyfelf one Day ? How many have.been deceived and fuddenlyfnatch'd away ? \ How often doft thou hear, fuch a Man is {lain, a- mother is drowned, a third has broke his Neck with a Fall ; this Man died eating, and that Man play¬ ing ; One perilhed by Fire, another by Sword, ano¬ ther of the Plague, another was flain by Thieves ? Thus Death is the End of all, and Man's Life fud- denly pafteth away like a Shadow. 7. Whoihall remember thee when thou art dead ! Do, do now, my Beloved, whatfoever thou art able to do : For thou knoweft not when thou fhalt die, nor yet what fhall he after thy Death. Now, whilft thou haft Time, lay up for thyfelf everlafting Riches. Think on nothing but the Salvation of thy Soul, ..care for nothing but the Things of God. 8. Keep thyfelf as a ftranger and Pilgrim upon Earth, who hath nothing to do with die Affairs ef this World. Keep thy Heart free, and lifted up to God, be- caufe thou haft here no abiding City. Send thither thy daily Prayers and Sighs, and Tears, that after Death thy Spirit may happily pale 10 the Lo tu>, sdmw. CHAP, The Chriftian's Pattern. CHAP. XVIII. Of Judgment, and the Punijh?nent of Sins. IN all Things remember the End, and how thou wilt be able to ftand before that fevere Judge, from whom nothing is hid, who is not pacified with Gifts, nor admitteth any Excufes, but will judge according to right. O wretched and foolilh Sinner, who fcmetimes fearelt the Countenance of an angry Man ; what An- fwer wilt thou make to God, who knoweft all thy Wickednefs ? Why doft thou not provide for thyfelf againft that great Day of Judgment, when no Man can excufe or anfwer for another, but every one fhall have enough to anfwer for himfelf ? 2. What is it that that infernal Fire feeds upon, but thy Sins ? The more thou fpareft thyfelf now, and followed: the Fleih ; fo much the more hereafter fhall be thy Punifhment, and thou ftoreft up greater Fewel for the Flame. In what Thing a Man hath finned, in the fame fhall he be puniihed. There is no Quiet, no Comfort for theDimiaed there : Here we have fome Intermilfron of our La¬ bours, and enjoy the Comfort of our Friends. Be now follicitous and forrowful becaufe of thy Sins, that at the Day of Judgment thou may eft be fe- cure with the Blefl'ed. For then fhall the Righteous ftand with great Bold- nefs before fuch as have vexed and opprefled them : Then fhall He ftand to judge, who doth now hum¬ bly fubinit himfelf to the Judgment of others. Then fhall the Poor and Humble have great Con¬ fidence, but the Prctd fhall be com palled with fear on every Side. 3. Then will it appe r, that lie was wife in this World, who had learned to be a Fool, and defpiftd for Christ's Sake. C Then 2 6 2*he Chrifiian's Pattern. Then {hall every Affliftion patiently undergone de¬ light us, and the Mouth of Iniquity (hall be Hopped. Then fhall the Devout rejoice, and the Prophane Then (hall he more rejoice that hath mortified his Fleffi, than he that hath abounded in all Pleafure. Then fhall the poor Attire fhine glorioufly, and the precious Robes appear vile. 4. Suppofe thou hadft hitherto lived always in Ho¬ nours and Delights; what would this avail thee, if thou wert to die this Inftant ? All therefore is Vanity, but to love God and ferve him only. For he that loveth God with all his Heart, is nei¬ ther afraid of Death, nor Judgment, nor Hell. CHAP. XIX. Of the zealous Atftenehnent of our whole Life. WHen one that was in great Anxiety of Mind, often wavering between Fear and Hope, did once humbly proftrate himfelf in Prayer, and faid, O, if I knew that I ffiouid perfevere ! he prefently heard within him an Anfwer from God, which faid, if thou didft know it, what wouldft thou do ? Do what thou wouldll do then, and thou {halt be fafe. And being herewith comforted and ftrengthened, he committed himfelf wholly to the Will of God, and his Anxiety ceaied : Neither had he any Mind to fearch curioufly fur¬ ther what fhould befal him ; but rather laboured to underftand what was the perfeft and acceptable Will of God, for the beginning and accomplifhing of e- very good Work. 2. Hope in the Lord, and do good, faith the Prophet, and inhabit the Land, and thou {halt be fed. One Thing there is that dray/eth many back from fmritual Progrefs,and diligent Amendment, the Hon. ror of the Difficulty, or the Labour of the Combat. But they improve moft in Virtue, that endeavour moil to overcome thofe Things which are grievous and contrary to them. For The Chi ijliarfs Pattern. 27 For there a Man improveth more, and obtaineth greater Grace, where he more overcometh himfdf and mortifieth himfelfin Spirit. 3. Gather Tome Profit to thy Soul wherefoever thou be; fo if thou feed or beared: of any good Examples, ftir up thyfelf to the Imitation thereof. But if thou feed: any Thing worthy of Reproof, beware thou do not the fame. And, if at any Time thou haft done it, labour quickly to amend it. 4. Be mindful of the Profefiion thou haft made, and have always before thy Eyes the Remembrance ofthy Saviour crucified. Thou haft good Caufe to be afhamed looking upon the Life of Jesus Christ, feeing thou haft as yet no more endeavoured to conform thyfelf unto him, tho' thou haft walked a long Time in the Way of God. A religious Perfon that exercifeth himfelf ferioufiy, and devoutly in the moft holy Life and Paffion of our Lord, fhall there abundantly find whatfoever isbe- eeffary and profitable for him ; neither fhall he need feek any better Thing out of Jesus. O, if Jesus crucified would come into our Hearts, how quickly and fully fhould we be inftruded in all -Truth. .. — — ; ■ * _ .. f God. Efteem all Comfort vain, which proceedeth from any Creature. A Soul that Ioveth God, defpifeth all Things but God. God alone, who is everlafting, immenfe, filling all Things, is the Comfort of the Soul, and the true Joy of the Heart. CHAP. VI. Of the foy of a good. Conference. THe Glory of a good Man is the Teftimony of a good Confcience. Have a good Confcience, and thou fhalt ever have Joy. Thou fhalt reft fweetly, if thy Heart condemn thee not. Never rejoyce, but when thou haft done well. Sinners have never true Joy, nor feel inward Peace ; becaufe there is no Peace to the Wicked, faith the Lord. 2. To glory in Tribulation is no hard Thing for him that loveth ; for to glory fo, is to glory in the Crofs of our Lord. That Glory is fhort, which is given and received from Men. Sorrow always accompanieth the Glory of the World. The glory of the good is in their Conferences, and not in the Tongues of Men. The Gladnefs of the Jaft is of God, and in God ; and their Joy is of the Truth. He enjoyeth great Peace of Mind, that careth neither for the Praife, nor Difpraife of Men. 3. He will eafily be content, whofe Confcience is pure. Thou The Chrijliari's Pattern, 3 5 Thou art not the more holy, tho' thou art praifed; nor the -more abje£l,. tho' thou art aifpraifed. What thou art, thou art; neither canft thou be faid to be greater than thou art in the Sight of .God. If thou confider what thou art within, thou wilt not care what Men fay of thee. Man feeth the Face, but God looketh into the Heart. Man confidereth the Deeds, but God weigheth the Intention. To do always well, and to diiefteem himfelf, is a Sign of an humble Soul. 4. He that feeketh no Witnefs for himfelf from without, doth fhew that he hath wholly committed himfelf unto God. For not he that commendeth himfelf, is approved, faith St. Paul; but whom God commendeth. To walk inwardly with God, and not to love any thing without, is the State of a fpiritual Man. CHAP. VII. Of the Love of JESUS. >Lefled is he that underftandeth what it is to love Jesus, and to defpife himfelf for Jesus, Thou oughteft to leave what thou hah loved hi¬ therto for the Sake of Jesus; for he will beloved alone. The Love of Things created is deceitful and in- conftant: The Love of Jesus is faithful and con- ftant. He that cleaveth unto a Creature, lhall fall when it falls : He that embraced} Jesus lhall hand firmly for sever. Love Him, and keep Him for thy Friend, who, when all go away, will not forfake thee. Thou niuft one Day be left of all, whether thou wilt or no. z. Keep clofe to Jesus both in Life and Death, and 3 6 The Chriftiarts Pattern. and commit thyfelf unto his Faithfulnefs, \vho» when all fail, caw alone help thee. Thy Beloved will not admit of a Rival; but will have thy Heart alone, and fit like a King in his own Throne. Whatfoever Affeftion thou repofeft in Men out of Jesus, is all no better than loll. Truft not, nor lean upon a broken Reed ; for all Flefh is Grafs, and all the Glory thereof (hall wi¬ ther away. 3. Thou (halt quickly be deceived, if thou re- gardeftonly the outward Appearance of Men. If in them thou feekell Comfort and Profit, thou fhalt often feel Lofs, If thou feekelt Jesus in all Things, thou (halt furely find Jesus. If thou feekeft thyfelf, thou (halt alfo find thyfelf, but to thy own Deftru&ion. For if a Man do not feek Jesus, he doth more Hurt to himfelf than the World and all his Adverfa- ries could do. CHAP. VIII. Of familiar Friendjhip with "JESUS. WHen Jesus is prefent, all is well ; but when Jpsus is abfent, every Thing is hard. When Jefus fpeaketh not inwardly, we have no true Comfort : But if Jesus fpeak but one Word, we feel much Confolation. Did not Mary prefently rife from the Place where (he wept, when Pvlartha faid unto her, The Matter is come, and caileth for thee ? Happy the Hour when Jesus caileth from Tears to fpiritual Joy. How dry and cold art thou without Jesus ! how foolifh and vain, if thou riefire any Thing out of Je'us ! Is not this a greater Lofs than if thou (houldft lofe the whole World ? 2. What can the V. orld profit thee without Jesus. To 7%e ChnJHatTT Pattern. 37 To be without Jesus is a grievous Hell ; and to be with Jesus a fweet Paradife. If Jesus be with thee, no Enemy can hurt thee. He that findeth Je'us, findeth a good Treafure, yea, a Good above all Goods : And he that lofeth Jesus, lofeth too much, and more than the whole World. He is moft poor, that liveth without Jesus: And he is moft rich, that is well with Jesus. 3. It is a great Skill to know to converfe with Je¬ sus, and great Wifdom to know to keep Jesus. Be humble and peaceable, and Jesus will be with thee. Be devout and quiet, and Jesus will ftay with thee. Thou mayeft foon drive away Jesus, if thou turn afide to outwatd Things. And if thou Ihouldft drive him away, unto whom wilt thou fly, and what Friend wilt thou feek? Without 3. Friend thou canfl not live well : And if Jesus be not above all Friends unto thee, thou fhalt be very forrowful and defolate. Thou doeft therefore foolifhly, if thou doll: truft or rejoyce in any other. It is better for thee to have all the World againft thee, than Jesus offended with thee. Of all things that are dear to thee therefore, let Je'us alone be peculiarly thy Beloved. Love all for Jecus, but Jesus forhimfelf. Jesus Christ alone is to be beloved ; who alone is faithful above all Friends. For him, and in him, let as well Friends as Foes be dear unto thee; pray to him Lr all thefe, that all may know and love him. Never defire to be commended or beloved, for that appertaineth unto Gop Neither do thou defire that the Heart of any fhould be fet on thee, nor do thou fet thy Heart on any : But let Jesus be in thee, and in every good Man. D 5 Be Be pure and free within, and entangle not thy Heart with any Creature. And truly, unlefs thou be prevented and drawn by his Grace, thou fhalt never attain to this, to forfake and caft off all, that thou alone mayeft be united to him alone. For when the Grace of God cometh unto a Man, then he has Power to do all Things. And when that retires, he is poor and weak, and as it were left on¬ ly to Afflidion. Yet in this thou oughteft not to defpair ; but to refign thyfelf to the Will of God, and to bear all Things that befal thee for the Glory of Christ: For after Winter followeth Summer, and after a Storm a great Calm. CHAP. IX. Of the Want of all Cotnfort. IT is not hard to defpife human Comfort, when we have divine. It is much to be able to want both human and di¬ vide Comfort; and for the Glory of God, to be wil¬ ling to endure Defolation of Heart. What great Matter is it, if thou be chearful and devout at the coming of Grace ? This Hour is will¬ ed for of all Men. He rideth eafily enough, whom the Grace of God carrieth. And what Marvel, if he feel no Burthen, who is bore up by the Almighty ? 2. We are always willing to have fomething for our Comfort: And a Man doth hardly put off him- felf. The holy Martyr St. Lawrence overcame the World, becaufe he defpifed whatfoever was delight- Tome in it; and for the Love of Christ patiently iuffered Sixtus to be taken from him, whom he moft dearly loved. He overcame therefore the Love of Man by the Love The Chriftiarfs Vat tern. 39 Love of the Creator; and he rather chofe the divine good Pleafure, than human Comfort. See thou alfo learn to forfake thy intimate and be¬ loved Friend, for the Love of God. Be not grieved when thou art forfaken by a Friend, knowing that we all at length mult be feparated from one another. When a Man trufteth in himfelfj he eafily flidetli unto human Comforts. But a true Lover of Christ betakes not himfelf to human Comforts, but rather fultains hard Exerci- fes, and great Labour for Christ. 4. When therefore fpiritual Comfort is given thee from God, receive it thankfully : But know, thati. is the Gift of God, not thy Defert. Be not puffed up, neither do thou prefume vainly ; but be rather the more humble for that Gift, and more wary in all thine Adtions : For that If bur will pafs away, and Temptation will fucceed. 5. David, in the Prefence of the divine Grace, faid, 1 /aid in my Profperity, 1 Jhall never be removed. But in the Abfence of it, having experienced what he was in himfelf, he adds, Thou ciidjt turn thy Face from me, aud I was troubled. Yet doth he not defpair, but more earneflly pray, eth unto the Lord, and faith, !-Then cried 1 unto Fhet, O Lord, and gat me to my Lord right bumbl<. Laltly, he receiveth the Fruit of his Prayer, and witnelfeth that he was heard, faying, The Lord hath heard me, and taken Pity on me: the Lord is become, my He' per. But wherein ? 7ban hnjl turned, faith he, my Iiea- ■vinefs into joy, tbsu haft compaffed me about with Gladnefs. 6. 'Whereupon therefore can I hope, or wherein ought I to truft, but in the great Mercy of God alone, and in the only Hope of heavenly Grace ? ' For whether I enjoy the Prefence of gocd Men, or religious Brethren, or faithful Friends, or holy Books, or excellent Treatifes, or fweet Songs and Hymns ; all thefe help little, and have little Relifb, when 40 The Chrijlian's Pattern. when Grace forfak-eth me, and I am left in my own Poverty. At fuch a Time there is no better Remedy than Patience, and the renouncing my own, according to the Will of God. Temptation going before, is wont to be a Sign of enfuing Comfort. And to thofe that are proved by Temptations, heavenly Comfort is promifed. He that Jhallover¬ come, faith he, I zvill give him to eat of the Tree of Life. 7. Divine Comfort is given, that a Man may be ftronger to bear Adverfities. There followeth Temptation, kit he fhould grow proud thereof. '1 he Devil fleepeth not, neither is the Flefh as yet dead ; therefore ceafe not to prepare thyfelf to the Battle: For on thy Right-hand and on thy Left are Fnemies that never reft. CHAP. X. Of Tbankfulnefs for the Grace of God. WHy feekeft thou Reft, ftnee thou art bom to labour ? Difpofe thyfelf to Patience, rather than to Com¬ fort ; and to the bearing of the Crofs, rather than to Joy. What worldly Man would not willingly receive fpiritual Joy and Comfort, if he could always have it ? For fpiritual Comforts exceed all the Delights of the World and Plealures of the Flefii. 2. Falfe Freedom of Mind, and Truft in our- felves, are very contrary to heavenly Viiitations. God doth well in giving the Grace of Confola- tion ; but Man doth Evil in not returning all again unto God with Thankfgiving. And therefore the Gifts of Grace cannot flow in us, becaufe we are not thankful to the Giver, and re¬ turn them not wholly to the Fountain. The Chrifkian's Pattern. . 41 For Grace ever at?endeth him that is thankful ; and from the Proud fhall be taken that which is gi¬ ven to the Humble. All that is high, is not holy; nor all that is fweet, good ; nor every Defire, pure; nor every Thing that is dear unto us, grateful to God. I willingly accept that Graf-1, whereby I may ever become more humble and careful, and more ready to renounce myfelf. He that is taught by the Gift of Grace, and in¬ truded by the withdrawing thereof, will not dare to attribute any good to himielf, but will acknowledge himfelf poor and naked. Give unto God that which is God's, and afcribe unto thyfelf that which is thine own; that is, give Thanks to God for his Grace, and acknowledge that nothing is thine, but only Sin, and the Punifh- ment due thereto. 3. Set thyfelf always in the loweft Place, and the higheft fhall be given thee; for t hod can ft not be in the higheft, till thou hall been in the loweft. The chief Saints before God, are the leaft in their own Eyes : And how much the more glorious, fo much the'more humble. Thofe that are firmly fettled and grounded in Gcd, can no Way be proud. 4. Be therefore thankful for the leaft Gifr, fo {halt thou receive greater. Let the leaft appear unto thee very great, and the moft contemned as ah efpecial Gift. If thou confide?; the Worth of the Giver, no Gift vvilj feem little or of too mean Elteem. For that is not little which is given by the moft high God. Yea, if he fhould give Pun fhrnent and Stripes, it ought to be grateful; for he doth it always for our Welfare, whatfoever he permitteth to befal us. He that defiret'h to keep the Grace of God, let him be thankful for the Grace given, and patient for the talcing away thereof. Let him pray that it may return. I.et hup be warv and humble, left he lofe it. ' • ' ' . . CHA P. 42 The Chriftiarfs Pattern. CHAP. XI. That there are few who love the Crop of Chrijl. JESUS hath many Lovers of his heavenly King¬ dom, but few Bearers of his Crofs. He hath many defirous of Comfort, but few of Tribulation. He findeth many Companions of his Table, but few of his Abflinence. All defire to rejoyce with him, few will fuffer any Thing for him. Many love Jesus, as long as Adverfities happen not: Many praife and blefs him, as long as they re¬ ceive any Comforts from him. But if Jesus hide himfelf, and leave them but a While ; they fall either into Complaint, or into De- jedlion. 2. But they that love Jesus for Jesus, and not for fome Comfort of their own, blefs him in all Tribulation and Anguifh of Heart, as well as in the greateft Comfort. And altho' he fhould never give them Comfort, they yet would ever praife him, and always give him Thanhs. 3. O how powerful is the pure Love of Jesus, which is mixed with no Self love, or Self-intereft ! Are not all thofe to be called Hirelings, that always feek Comfort ? Do they not (hew themfelves to be rather Lovers of themfelves than of CHRrsT, that always think of their own Pleafure? Where may one be found that is willing to ferve God gratis ? 4. It is hard to find any one fo fpiritual, that is flript of the Love of all earthly Things. For where is any one to be found, that is indeed poor in Spirit, and free from all Affedlion to Crea¬ tures ? If The Chrijliarf s Pattern. 43. If a Man fhould give all his Subllance, yet it is' as nothing. And if he fhould do great Penances, yet are they but little. And if he fhould attain to all Knowledge, he is yet far off. And if he fhould be very fervent in Devotion, yet there is wanting one Thing, which is molt ne- cefTary for him. What is that ? That having left all, he leave him* felf, and go wholly out of himfelf, and retain no¬ thing of Self love: And that when he hath done all which he knew ought to be done, he know that he hath done no¬ thing. 4, Let him not think that a great Thing, which others may think fo : But according to Truth let him affirm himfelf to be an unprofitable Servant, as our Saviour hath faid, When you have done all Things that are commanded you, /ay, We are unprofitable Ser¬ vants. Yet no Man richer, no Man more powerful, no Man more free, than he that can leave himfelf and all Things, and fet himfelf in thelowefl Place. CHAP. XII. Of the royal JVay of the holy Crofs. THis Speech feemeth hard to many, Renounce thy/elf, take up thy Crofs, and follow Jesus. But it will be much harder to hear that lafl Word, Depart fom me, ye curfed into everlafiing Fire. This oign of the Crofs fhall be in Heaven, wh6n our Lord ihall come to Judgment. Then all the Servants of the Crofs fhall draw near unto Christ the Judge with great Confidence. 2. Why therefore feareft thou to take up theCrofs, which le deth to a Kingdom ? In the Crofs is Salvation, in the Crofs is Life, in the Crofs is Protection againfl our Enemies, in the Crofs is heavenly Sweetnefs, in the Crofs is Strength of 44 Fk? Chrijil-an s Pattern. of Mind, in the Crofs is Joy of Spirit, in the Crofs is the Height of Virtue, in the Crofs is the Perfection of Holinefs. There is no Salvation of the Soul, nor Hope of cverlafting Li "e, but in the Crofs. Take up therefore thy Crofs, and follow Jefus, and thou fhalt go into Life everlafting. He is gone before bearing his Crofs, and is dead for thee on the Crofs; that thou mayeftalfo bear thy Crofs, and defire to die on the Crofs with him. For, if thou dieft with him, thou fhalt alfo live with him. And, if thou be his Companion in Pain, thou fhalt be Partaker with him in Glory. 3 Behold in the Crofs all doth confift, and all lieth in our dying upon it : for there is no other Way to Life, and to true inward Peace, but the Way of the Holy Crofs. Go where thou wilt, feek whatfoever thou wilt, thou lhalt not find a higher Way above, nor a fafer Way below, than the Way of the holy Crofs. Difpofe all Things according to thy Will and Judgment; yet thou fhalt ever find, that thou mult fufter fomewhat either willingly or againft thy Will, and fa thou lhalt ever find the Crofs. For either thou fhalt feel Pain in thy Body, or in thy Soul Tribulation of Spirit.; 4. Sometimes thou lhalt be tried tf God, fome- times thou fhalt be ex ere i fed by thy Neighbour ; and often thou fhalt be irkfome to thyfelf; Neither canft thou be delivered By any Remedy or Comfort; but, fo long as it pleafeth God, thou muft besr it. For God will have thee learn to fuffer Tribula¬ tion ; and that thou fubjeft thyfelf wholly to him. No Man hath fo cordial a Feeling of the Paffion of Christ, as he who hath fuffer'd the like hiffifelf. 1 he Crofs therefore is always ready, ancL/every where waits for thee. i hou canfl: not efcape it whitheffoever thou run¬ nel!; for wherefoever thou goeft, thou carried thy¬ felf with thee, and fhall ever find thyfelf. Both *fhe Chrifiiatfs Pattern. 4-5 Both above and below, without and within, which Way foever thou dolt turn thee, every where thou fhalt find the Crofs; and every where thou mult have Patience, if thou wilt enjoy an everlalting Crown. 5. If thou bear the Crofs willingly, it will bear thee. If thou bear it unwillingly, thou encreafelt thy Load, and yet thou mult bear it. If thou call away one Crofs, without Doubt thoa fhalt find another, and that perhaps a more heavy one. 6. Thinkeft thou to efcape that which no Man eould ever avoid ? Which of the Saints in the World was without Crolfes and Tribulation. Verily Jesus Christ our Lord was never one Hour without Suffering, fo long as he lived. Christ (faith he) ought to fuffer, and rife again fiom the Dead, and fo enter into his Glory. And dolt thou feek any other Way than this royal Way, which is the Way of the Holy Crofs? The whole Life of Christ was a Crofs and a Martyrdom; and dolt thou feek Reft and Joy ? 7. Indeed it is not of Man to bear and love the Crofs, to keep the Body under, to fly Honours, to fuffer Reproaches gladly, to defpife himfelf, and to rejoice in being defpifed, to bear all Adverfities and Loffes, and to defire no Profperity in this World. If thou conflderelt thyfelf, thou art able to perform nothing of this. But if thou trufteft in the Lord, Strength lhall be given thee from Heaven, and the World and Flelh lhall be made fubjedt to thy Command. Neither fhalt thou fear the Devil, if thou beeft armed with Faith, and beareft the Crofs of ChrisT. 8. Set therefore thyfelf, like a faithful Servant of Christ, to bear manfully the Crofs of thy Lord. Prepare thyfelf to bear many Adverfities ; for fo it will be with thee, wherefoever thou be ; and fo furely thou wilt find it,wherefoever thou hide thyfelf. Drink of the Cup of the Lord gladly, if thoa wilt be his Friend. As 4 6 The Chriftiarts Pattern. As for Comforts, leave them to God; let I.»;m do therein as lhall beft pleafe him. Set thou thyfelf to fuffer Tribulations, and account them the. greateil Comforts; for the Sufferings of this Life are not worthy of the Glory which is to come, altho' thou alone could ft fuffer them all. ii. When thou fhalt come to this, that Tribula¬ tion fhall be fweet unto thee for Christ ; then think it well with thee, for thou haft found a Paradife upon Earth. As long as it is grievous to thee to fuffer, and thou defireft to fly it; fo long fhalt thou be ill at Eafe j and the Tribulation thou flieft will follow thee every where. Altho'thou hadft been rapt unto the third Heaven .with Paul, thou wouldft not for this be fecure from Suffering. I (faith Jesus) will fliew him how great Things he mull fuffer for my Name. It remaineth therefore, that thou fuffer, if thou Wilt love Je;us, and perpetually ferve him. io. O that thou wert worthy to fuffer fomething for the Name of Jesus.' how great Glory would it be to thee ! what Joy to all the Saints of God 1 how great Edification alfo to thy Neighbour. For all commend Patience, tho' few are willing to fuffer. With great Reafon thou oughteft to be willing to fuffer a littlefor Christ; fince many fuffer far greater; Things for the World. i i. Know for certain that thou art to'lead a dying Life. And the more every one dicth to hirnfelf, the more he liveth to God. No Man is fit to attain unto heavenly Things unlefs he fubmit to fuffer for Christ. Nothing is more grateful unto God, nothing more wholfome to thee in this World, than to fuffer wil¬ lingly for Christ. And if it we e in thy Choice, thou fliouldft rather wifh to fuffer Adveriities for Christ, than to enjoy many Comforts; becaufe hereby thoufhouldft be more like Christ, and more conformable to all the Saints. Hrnio account t5 Of till! to come, Tribuk. _ ^en thinkr adiftup , and (hoc llat Eafci tliee every rd Heaven fecure hut r how great :r, if thon n, ' fomethinj rj would it job! to* willing to willing to ' rtargieate< ad 2 dying itnfelf, 'to lings unlefs thing more jii.fr wi¬ ld/1 rattor n to enjor 47 For our Proficiency confifleth not in many Sweet- neffes and Comforts, but rather in fufFering great Af¬ flictions and Tribulations, 12. If any Thing had been better and more profi¬ table to the Salvation of Man than fufFering, Christ furely would have fhewed it by Word and Example. But he plainly exhorteth all that follow him, to the bearing of the Crofs, and faith, If any will come after me, let him renounce himfelf, and take up his Crofs, and follow me. So that when we have read and fearched all, let this be the lalt Conclufion, that by many Tribula¬ tions we mull enter into the Kingdom of God. * B O O K III. CHAP. I. Of the inward Speech of CHRIST unto a faithful Soul. « ' * Chriftian. I Will hear what the Lord God will fpeak in me, Bleffed is the Soul that heareth the Lordfpeaking in her, and receiveth from his Mouth the Word of Comfort. Bleffed are thofe Ears that receive the Whifpers of the divine Voice, and liflen not to the Whifperings of the World. Bleffed indeed are thofe Ears that hearken not to the Voice which foundeth outwardly, but unto the Truth which teacheth inwardly. Bleffed * Phis and the following Book are hj way of Dia¬ logue. 4* The Chriftiarts BlefTed are the Eyes which are fhut to outward Things, but open to thofe that are internal. gleffed are they that delight to be at Leifure for Cod, and rid themselves of all worldly Impediments. 2. Confider thefe Things, my Soul, and fhut up the Door of thy fenfual Defires, that thou mayeft hear what thy Loid God fpeaketh in thee. Chrift. I am thy Peace, thy Life, and thy Salva¬ tion. Keep thyfelf With me, and thou (halt find Peace. Leave all Tranfitory, and feek Things everlafting. What are all temporal Things, but Snares ? And what do all Creatures avail thee, if thou be forfaken by thy Creator? Forfake therefore all earthly Things, and labour to pleafe thy Creator, and be faithful unto him, that thou mayeft attain true Happinefs, CHAP. II. That Truth fpeaketh inwardly without hi a if e of JVords, Chriftian QPeak, Lord, for thy Servant heareth. ^ I am thy Servant, grant me Under- ftanding, that,I may know thy Tellimonies. Incline my Heart to the Words of thy Mouth. Let thy Speech diftil as the Dew. The Children of Ifrael faid unto Mofes, Speak thou unto uc, and we will hear thee: Let not the Lord Ipeak unto us, left we die. Not fo, Lord, not fo, I befeech thee ; but rather with the Prophet Samuel, I humbly and earneftly in- treat, Speak, Lord, for thy Servant heareth. Let not Moles fpeak unto me, nor any of the Prophets ; but do thou rather ipeak, O Lord God, the Infpirer and Enlightner of all the Prophets; For thou alone without them canft perfectly inftruii me; but they without thee can profit nothing. 2. They indeed may found forth Words, but they cannot give Spirit. They _ The Chriftiatfs Pattern. 49 They fpeak well, but if thou be filent, they in¬ flame not the Heart, They teach the Letter, but thou opened: the S^nfe. Tfiey bring forth Myileries, but thou unlocked the Meaning of them. They declare thy Commandments, but thou help- eft to fulfil them- They fhew the Way, but thou giveft Strength to walk in it. They work only outwardly, but thou inftru&eft and enlightened: the Heart. They water, but thou giveft the Encreafe. They make a Noife with Words, but thou giveft to underftand them. 3. Let not therefore Mofes fpeak unto me, but thou, my Lord Gcd, the everlafting Truth, left I die, a'nd prove unfruitful, if I be warned outwardly only, and not enflamed within. Let not the Word heard and not fulfilled, known and not loved, believed and not obferved, turn to my Condemnation. Speak therefore, Lord, for thy Servant heareth, for thou haft the Words of eternal Life. Speak unto me to the Comfort of my Soul, and to the Amendment of my whole Life, and to thy Praife and Glory, and everlafting Honour. CHAP. III. That the JVords of G O D are to be heard with Humility, and that many weigh them not. Chrift. PON, hear my Word?, Words of greateft 1^5 Sweetnefs, excelling all the Knowledge of the Philofophers and wife Men of this World. Aly Words are Spirit and Life, not to be weighed by the Uoderltanding of Man. They are to be heard with Silence, and to be re¬ ceived with all Humility and great Affedfion. Chriftian. Blefled is the Man whom thon (halt inftrudt, O Lord, and (hall teach thy Law, that thou mayeft give him Reft from the evil Days, and £ that 1 i ' 50 The Christian's Pattern. that he be not deftroyed upon Enrth. 2. Chrift. I have taught the Prophets from the beginning, and ceafe not in rhefe Days to fpeak to e- veryone: But many are hardned and deaf to my Speech. Moft Men more willingly liften to the World, than to God ; and follow fooner the Defires of their Elefh than the Will of God. The World promifeth temporal and fmall Thing*, and is ferved with great Eagernefs : I promife high and eternal Things, and the Hearts of Men are un¬ moved. , Who is he, that ferveth and obeyeth me, with fuck Care as the World and the Lords thereof are ferved with ? Blufh therefore, flothful and complaining Servant, that they are more eager for Deitruftion, than thou for Life. They rejoice more in Vanity, than thou in the Truth. And yet they are often fruftrated of their Hope; but my Promife deceiveth none, nor fendeth him a - way empty that trufleth in me, What I have promifed I will give ; I will fulfil what I have faid to him that remains faithful in my Love to the End. I am the Rewarder of all that are good, and try my Servants with ftrong Trials. 3. Write my Words in thy Heart, and think di¬ ligently of them ; for they will be very necefiary in the Time of Temptation. What thou underftandefl not when thou reaaeft, thou (halt know in the Day of Vifitation. I am wont to vifit my Eleft two Ways, with Temptation and with Comfort. And 1 daily read two Leffons unto them, one re¬ prehending |heir Vices, another exhorting them to the Increafe of Virtues. He that hath my Words and defpifeth them, hath him that fliall judge him at the laft Day. 4. Chriftian The Chrijlian's Pattern. 51 4. Chriftian. O Lord mv Ond-.fhnfl nrt tn me whatfoever is good. .i^^£W^*\trh3t? dt->twx^^ak unro thee ? I anrTArKft^^ Worm, mudr^xji^-'poor i^v^ntemptible thaa Hi can or daropxprfe. Qp^Wfe 1 Yet remJmbeLqO^^rc^l tsat:r"am nothing, have | nothing, i'nd'am cfo nothing, A Thou alone art good^i|«lti&and holyf Thou «anflf do all ThVngs, thou hlleft g^.j^Jfings, dre Proud thouNende^ empty away. 1 r. RemcinberSt^V« aj^ fill'liaWfeiart with thy Grace, thouw%e^ijfeltt oat thatTliy Works be empty. 5. How can I bear my felf, unlefs thou flrengthen me with thy Mercy and Grace? Turn not thy Face from me ; delay not thy Vifi- tation ; take not away thy Comfort, left my Soul be¬ come as the thirfty Land. Lord, teach me to fulfil thy Will, teach me to live worthily and humbly in thy Sight; for thou art my Wifdom, thou doft truly know me, and didft know me before the World was made, and before I was born in the World. CHAP. IV. That we ought to live in Truth and Humility before GOD. Chrift. OON, walk before me in Truth, and ever feek me in Simplicity of Heart. He that walketh before me in Truth, fhall be de¬ fended from tvJJ ;- and the Truth fhall deliver, hiifij from Seducers, and .from the Detra&ions of the Wicked. I the Truth fhall have made thee free, thou fhalt be free indeed. Chriftian Lord, it is true, x According as thou faidil, fo VI befeech thee let it be with me ; let thy Truth teach me, and keep, me, and bring me fafe to an happy End. Let it deliver me from all evil AfFe&ion and inor- E 2 dinate 52 The Chriftian's Pattern. dinate Love ; and I fhall walk with thee in great Freedom of Heart. - 2. Chrill. I will teach thee thofe Things that are right and pleafing in my S*ght Think of thy Sins with great Difpleafure and Grief, and never elleem thyfelf any Thing for thy good Works. Thou art in very Deed a Sinner, thou art fubjedl to and encumber'd with many Paflions. Of thyfelf thou always tendeft to nothing ; thou art quickly call down, quickly overcome, quickly troubled, quickly diffolved. Thou halt nothing wherein thou canft glory, but many Things for which thou oughteft to defpife thy¬ felf ; for thou art much weaker than thou art able to ccmprehend. 3 Make no Account therefore of any Things that thou dceft. Let nothing feem great, nothing precious and wonderful; let nothing feem worthy of Eftimation, nothing h gh, nothing truly praife-worthy and de- iirable, tut that which is everlafting. Let the eternal Truth above all Things pleafe thee. Let thy own great Unworthinefs always difpleafe thee. Fear nothing, fly nothing fo much as thy Vices and Sins. Some walk not fincerely in my S'ght; but will know my Secrets, and underhand the high Things cf God, r.egiedting ihemfelves and their own Sal¬ vation. Tiufe often, becaufe 1 refill them, fall into great Temptations and Sins. 4. Fear the Judgments of God, dread the Wrath of ihe Almighty. Rat difcufs not the Works of the Higheft Search thine own Iniquities, how much thou hall cfFcnded, and how much Good thou haft neg letted. Some place their Religion only in Rooks, fome in Images, fotae in outward Forms and Ceremonies. Some The Chrijlian's Pattern. 53 Some have me in their Mouths, but little in their Hearts. There are others, that being illuminated in their Underftandings, and purged in their Affeftion, con¬ tinually pant after Things eternal ; thefe perceive what the Spirit of Truth fpeake'h in them. Becaufe it teacheth them to de'pife earthly, and love heavenly Things ; to neghdt the World, and all the Day and Night to defiie Heaven. CHAP. V. Of the zvonderful Effefts of divine Love. Chrifti^n. TT Praife thee, O heavenly Father, Fa" jL ther of my Lord Jefus Chriit, for that thou haft vouchfafed to remember me a poor Creature. 0 Father of Mercies, and God of all Comfort, Thanks be unto thee, who with thy Comfort re- frefheth me unworthy of all Comfort 1 ever blefs and glorify thee, with thy only begot¬ ten Son, and the Hcly Ghoft, for ever and ever. O Lord God, the holy Lover of my Soul, when thou fhaltcome into my Heart, all that is within me will rejoice. Thou art my Glory, and the Joy of my Heart. Thou art my Hope and Refuge in the Day of my T ribulation. 2. But becaufe I am ftill weak in Love, I have need therefore to be {Lengthened and comforted by thee. Vifit me therefore often, and inftrufl me with thy holy Difcipline. Deliver me from evil Paffions, and heal my Heart of all inordinate Affeftions ; thaf being healed within, I maybe made fit to love, ftrong to fuffer, and con- ftant to perfevere. 3. Chrift. Iiove is a great Thing, which alone maketh every Burden light, and beareth all the V i- ciffitudes of Life, For it carrieth a Burden without a Burden, atid E 3 maketh 54 The Chrifttan's Pattern. maketh every Thing that is bitter, fweet and favory. The Love of Jefus impelleth to go great Things, and ftirreth up continually to defire greater Perfection. Love will be aloft, and not kept down with any earthly Things. Love will be free and loofe from all worldly Affec¬ tion, left its inward Sight be hindered, left it be en¬ tangled by any temporal Profperity, or fubdued by Adverfity. Nothing is fweeter than Love, nothing ftronger, nothing higher, nothing more large, nothing more pleafant, nothing fuller nor better in Heaven or in Earth. Becaufe Love is born of God, and cannot reft but in God, above all Creatures. 4. He that loveth, flyeth, runneth and rejoiceth ; he is free and not bound. He giveth all for all, and hath all in all ; for he refteth in the fupreme One, from whom all Good pro¬ ceed eth. He refpedteth not the Gifts, but turneth himfelf above all Goods unto the Giver. Love often knoweth no Meafure, but is inflamed above all Meafure. Love feeleth no Burden, weigheth no Pains, de- fireth above its Strength ; complaineth not of Impof- fibility, for it thinketh all Things poflible. ft is therefore able to undertake all Things, and performeth and bringeth many Things to pafs ; whereas he, that doth not love, fainteth and jink- eth under them. 5. Love watcheth, ar.d fleeping fleepeth not: Being tired, is not weary ; ftraitned, is not pref- fed ; frightned, is not dffturbed ; but like a lively Flame ii burfteth out alofi£ and fecurely palleth thro' all. Jfany one loveth, he knoweth what this meaneth. The a dent Affe&ion of the Soul crieth aloud in the Eais of God, when it faith, My God, my Love, thou art wholly mine, and I wholly thine. 6. Chriftian. Enlarge me in Love, that with the inward The Lhrijtiarfs pattern. 5 5 inward Mouth of my Heart I may tafte how fweet it is to love, and to be melted and Avim in thy Love; Let me be poffeffed by Love, mounting above myfelf with exceffive Fervour and Admiration. Let me fing the Song of Love, let me follow thee on high, my Beloved ; let my Soul die away in thy Praife, rejoycing through Love. Let me love thee more than myfelf, and not my¬ felf but for thee, and all in thee that truly love thee, *as the Law of Love commandeth, which fhineth out from thee. 7. Chrift. Love is fwift, fincere, pious, pleafant and delightful, ftrong, patient, faithful, prudent, long-fuffering, manly, and never feeking itfelf. For where one feeketh himfelf, theie he falleth from Love. Love is circumfpeft, humble and upright: Not foft, nor light, nor attending unto vain Things ; fo- ber, chafte, conftant, quiet, and guarded in all the Senfes : Love is fubjeft and obedient to Superiors, vile and defpicable to itfelf, devout and thankful unto God, trufling and hoping always ir. him. 8. He that is not ready to fuffer all Things, and to lUnd to the Will of his Beloved, is not worthy to be called a Lover. A Lover ought to embrace willingly all that is hard and diftafteful for his Beloved. CHAP. VI. Of the Proof of a true Lover. Chrift. PON, thou art not yet a valiant and pril¬ ls dent Lover. Chriftian Wherefore, Lord ? Chrift. Becaufe thou giveft over thy Undertakings for a fmall Difficulty, and too greedily feekelt alter Comfort. A valiant Lover ftandeth firmly in Temptations, and giveth not Credit to the crafty Perfuafions of the Enemy. As 56 The ChriftiarPs Pattern. As I pleafe him in Profperity, fo I am not uit- pleafant to him in Adveility. 2. A prudent Lover confidereth not fo much the Gift of his Lover, 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 reltet not in the Gift, -but in me above every Gift. 3. Know that thy ancient Enemy doth ever ftrive to hinder thy Defire to Good, and to divert thee from all religious Exerciies; to wit, from the devout Memory of my P ^ which thou haft not yet well learned. Chriltian. What are thofe, Lord ? Chrift That thou frame thy Defires wholly ac¬ cording to my Pleafure ; and be not a Lover of thy- felf, but a zealous Follower of my Will. Thy Defires often enflame thee, and that vebe- 4 mently. But confider, whether thou art moved ra¬ ther for my Honour, or for thy own Profit.* If I be the Caufe, thou wilt be we^l content, how- foever I (hall ordain : But if there lurk in thee any felf feeking, behold this is it that hindreth thee, and weigheth thee down. 2. Beware therefore thou lean not too much upon any Defire conceived without alking my Counfel, left perhaps afterwards it repent thee, and thou diflike what before pleafed thee, and which thou zealoufty definedft as the beft. For every Affedion that feenieth good, is not pre- feutly to be followed : Nor every Affedion that at firft feemeth evil, to be avoided. It is expedient fometimes to ufe a Reftraint even in good Defires and Endeavours, left by Importunity of Defire thou incur Dfttradion of Mind, and by thy want of Self-government be a Scandal to others; or being gainfayed by others, thou" be fuddenly tiou- bled and fall. But thou oughteft fometimes to ufe Vio'ence, and refill manfully thy fenfual Appetites, and refped not what the Flefh would or would not; but rather to labour, than even perforce it be fubjed to the Spirit. Thou Dull, learn to obey. Thou Earth and C ay, learn to humble thy felf, to bow down beneath the Feet of all Men. P Learn 6 2 The Chrijlian*s Pattern. Learn to break thine own Will, and to yield thy- felf to all Subjection. 3. Be zealous againft thyfelf, and fuffer not Pride to live in thee. Shew thyfelf fo lowly, fuch a little Child, that every one may go over thee, and tread thee as Dirt of the Streets under their Feet. Vain Man, what haft thou to complain of? Vile Sinner, vvhatcanft thou anfwer to them who reproach thee, who haft fo often offended God, and fo many times deferved Hell ? But mine Eye hath fpared thee, becaufe thy Soul was precious in my Sight ; That thou mighteft knew my Love, and always remain thankful for my Benefits; And that thou mighteft continually ftudy true Sub¬ jection and Humility, and patiently endure to be defpifed. CHAP. XI. Of the confidering the fecret Judgments of GOT), left we be exalted on account of our good Deeds, Chriftian. ' | Mhou thundereft forth thy Judgments JL over me, OLord; thou lhakeft all my Bones with Fear and Trembling, and my Soul is fore afraid. I ftand aftonifhed, when I confider that the Hea¬ vens are not pure in thy Sight. If thon haft found Wickednefs in Angels, and haft not pardoned them, what fhall become of me ? Stars fell from Heaven, and am I, who am Duft, proud ? 2. There is therefore no SanCtity, if thou, O Lord, withdraweft thy Hand. No Wifdom availeth, if thou ceafeft to govern. No Strength helpeth, if thou leaveft to defend. No Chaftitjr is fecure, if thou doft not proteCt it. No Vigilance profits, if thy facred Watchfulnefs fee not prelent. For, The Chr if inn's Pattern. 63 for, if we be left, we fink and periih : Eut if thou vifit us, we are raifed up and live. We are inconftant, but by thee we are eftablilhed : We grow cold, but by thee we are inflamed. 3. O how meanly and humbly ought I to think of myfelf! how nothing ought 1 to efteem it, if I feem to have any good ! O Lord, with what profound Humility ought I o fubmit myfelf to thy infcrutable Judgments ; where 1 find myfelf to be a Nothing, a very Nothing ! O unmea