Such a man prays more effectually in his heart, than if he used the most perfect form of words. One single meditation or devout sigh offered up to G.o.d by Jesus Christ, in faith, love, and devotion, is more acceptable to G.o.d, than all the parade of external worship.
2. The whole life of a Christian ought to be spent in the exercise of love, and in the imitation of his crucified Lord. He properly is a Christian, who does all things from a principle of divine charity, and is transformed by it into the nature of Christ. And can G.o.d deny anything to so dutiful, loving, and obedient a child when he prays? No, surely. But that we might know how and for what we ought to ask, Christ has taught us the _Lord"s Prayer_, a prayer full of pet.i.tions for the most exalted blessings. Can there be a greater good than the kingdom of G.o.d? For he himself is his own kingdom, extending to all rational creatures. So that when we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we pray that G.o.d would please to bestow Himself upon us, with all the riches and blessings of his presence. In this kingdom, therefore, G.o.d is our Father, manifesting his paternal love and faithfulness to his children, by erecting his kingdom in us, that therein he may perfect his most n.o.ble work in us, expressed in this pet.i.tion, "Hallowed be thy name;" which is done when the dignity and excellency of the divine name and nature are more deeply discovered in the soul.
3. In this kingdom, which is within us, he works his own will, without any impediment. And so his "will is done in earth," namely, in us, "as it is in heaven," that is, in G.o.d himself. Hence we understand, that what G.o.d desires to bestow, and has commanded us to pray for, is nothing less than Himself. This was the promise that he made to Abraham, "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." Gen. 15:1. Moreover, our Heavenly Father gives us "our daily bread;" that is, he appropriates all his creatures to our use, testifying thereby the greatness of his love towards us. For the heart that is truly devoted to G.o.d, and in which he freely executes his own will, is capable of receiving the fulness of his grace and blessings.
So great are the goodness, love, and mercy of G.o.d, that he can deny us nothing that is necessary either for the body or the soul; and he best knows our necessities. For this end he is daily setting our sins and miseries before our eyes, teaching us to abase ourselves before him, and to pray: "Forgive us our trespa.s.ses, as we forgive them that trespa.s.s against us." For so compa.s.sionate is G.o.d, that he freely offers us forgiveness of sins, and teaches us how to ask it from the heart; that thereby we may be a.s.sured, that he is more ready to forgive, than we are to ask it; and that we may thence learn to exercise the same kindness towards our neighbor, that He exercises towards us. For they that are truly the children of G.o.d, exclude no man from their charity, or from the love of G.o.d. They have nothing more at heart, than the glory of G.o.d, the increase of his kingdom, and the salvation of all men. By this acknowledgment of sin, and pet.i.tion for pardon, the Christian is taught, that in his natural state he is without G.o.d and his kingdom; void of comfort, poor and miserable. And, therefore, he is taught to pray, "Lead us not into temptation," by which the devil endeavors to draw us from the will and kingdom of G.o.d; but that he would "deliver us from evil," that is, from our own evil will and corrupt nature, which hinder the accomplishment of G.o.d"s will, and the erecting of his kingdom in us, and deprive him of the honor due unto his name. "For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen." Whilst we receive these as coming from him alone, they still continue to be his. But if we do not ascribe them to Him alone, we exclude ourselves from his kingdom, his power, and his glory, not worthily sanctifying his name, nor obeying his will. And hence it follows, that we also are out of his kingdom, and so have no t.i.tle to remission of sins and deliverance from evil.
Chapter XX.
Showing That Humility Must First Be Laid As A Foundation In The Heart, And All Our Works Must Rest On It; Its Blessed Influences.
_Be clothed with humility._-1 PETER 5:5.
If thou wouldst build for eternity, let thy foundation be humility; for no man can of himself do anything. Wherefore, in all thine undertakings, humble thyself before G.o.d, the overflowing fountain of grace and mercy, and pray devoutly for his direction and a.s.sistance, that all thy labors may be entirely directed to the praise, and honor, and glory of G.o.d; and remember this, that whatsoever thou doest without the grace of G.o.d, can tend to nothing but sin and destruction. He that carefully attends to this, submitting himself entirely to the divine will, silently and humbly deploring his own weakness and vileness, and by ardent love devoting himself to G.o.d, shall experience in all the powers of his soul the wonderful works of G.o.d; while, on the contrary, pride is that vice which makes all our works vile and abominable in the sight of G.o.d.
2. And alas! why are dust and ashes proud? If we look into our original, we were created out of nothing; of ourselves we are nothing, more fleeting than a vain shadow; so corrupt that nothing but the grace of G.o.d restrains us from falling into the grossest sins, and sinking into the lowest pit of destruction. We are perpetually exposed to the a.s.saults of the devil, against whom we have no security but in humility. For this evil spirit, puffed up with pride, has all imaginable advantages over the proud man; but flies from the meek and humble. Pride has its root in Satan; but so long as thou canst preserve thy humility, turning thyself to G.o.d from all thine iniquities, so long he can have no power over thee. How lamentable a thing is it then, to see a Christian, furnished with the Word and Spirit of G.o.d, so tamely give himself up to the devil. Such a one is like a cowardly soldier, who, though armed from head to foot, should suffer himself to be stung to death by a wasp. So powerful is the grace of G.o.d in humble souls, that if they will be true to themselves the devil can have no power over them. And if thou suffer thyself to be thus shamefully foiled, notwithstanding all the a.s.sistance offered to thee, what canst thou expect at the last day but the insults of those very evil spirits to whom thou hast given so cheap a victory. Consider well, therefore, what a grace and blessing humility is.
3. There is, moreover, in humble souls, a perpetual hungering and thirsting after the grace of G.o.d, which G.o.d never fails to reward by the fulness of his blessings, that is, of Himself: for he alone can satisfy the cravings of a thirsty soul. And on this humility is founded true repentance; for when a man sees the vast impurity, the secret malice, the deep corruption of his sinful heart, and bewails all this with sincere sorrow, he gladly lays hold of the free grace of Christ by faith, and entirely resigns and devotes himself to the will of G.o.d. Such a man"s sins G.o.d freely pardons, and, as it were, blots them out at once. For when a man turns himself from his sins unto G.o.d, G.o.d immediately turns unto him and remembers his transgressions no more.
4. Another property of humility is, that it cheerfully receives every cross sent from G.o.d as a preparation for greater gifts; it regards not the immediate agents by which the man is afflicted, but looks up to G.o.d from whom afflictions come. The humble man rejoices in the cross, saying: "Hail, blessed cross, unexpected indeed, but not unwelcome. I know that it is the will of G.o.d by thee to sanctify and consecrate me to Himself." And, lastly, humility keeps a man in peace of mind, as well in adversity as in prosperity, as well under the want, as in the abundance of the gifts and blessings of G.o.d. So that the truly humble man is always easy, whether it please G.o.d to give or take away, and nothing can happen to him, to exalt or deject him above measure. In him the wonders of divine grace manifest themselves. And whereas he before lived and acted by his own strength, he is now supported by G.o.d, and in and through Him produces fruit abundantly.
Chapter XXI.
Showing That A Man Ought To Rest In G.o.d Alone, And Not In His Gifts; And That He Must Deny Himself.
_Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous._-PS. 32:11.
The genuine love of G.o.d proposes G.o.d alone for its end. It delights not in the creatures, but in that supreme, eternal, and uncreated Good, whence they proceeded; and this not only outwardly, but even in the very bottom of the soul. For the soul, besides its natural powers, by which it gives life and motion to the body, has a deep and central essence, having no relation to the creature. This is the seat and city of G.o.d, abstracted from all external and earthly things; here the Holy Spirit pours out his gifts through all the faculties of the soul, in the different manifestations of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. But when corrupt nature begins to delight itself inordinately with these visitations, loving the gifts more than the Giver, it immediately pollutes them by corrupt mixtures of self-love. All the love and joy which result thence, are blind, vicious, and deceitful. For as the gifts of G.o.d are not G.o.d himself, so we must not place the same love upon both. Most men rest in the gifts of G.o.d, and upon the least perception of divine light in the understanding, or warmth in the affections, imagine themselves at the summit of perfection; not considering that they are yet far short of it.
Man was made for greater things, even to receive G.o.d into the soul; and G.o.d is displeased if we stop short of this. There is nothing he so much desires as to bestow himself upon us, and that after the most exalted and glorious way; and certainly the least we can do in return is thankfully to accept this divine love, and to delight in G.o.d alone.
2. But so corrupt is human nature, and so addicted to self-love, that it catches greedily at everything that may gratify its pa.s.sions, placing its happiness in those delights, which, like Jonah"s gourd, perish in the enjoyment. This satisfaction, though in the gifts of G.o.d, defiles them, and hinders His operations in us. So great, and so deep, is the corruption of our nature, introduced by Original Sin, that scarce one in a thousand can know his secret faults. Ps. 19:12. Hence proceeds that inordinate love which men have for themselves more than for G.o.d. This abyss of corruption, the most learned men could never fully fathom nor explain: and yet much more difficult is it to root it out of human nature. This rooting it out is the denying of ourselves, required by our blessed Lord, if we will be his disciples. Matt. 16:24. And yet it is much easier to forsake all earthly things, gold, silver, houses, and estates, than to forsake one"s self: so deeply is this poison rooted in our nature! But as this self-denial is absolutely necessary, so G.o.d disposes and prepares us for it by various tribulations. This is the only end of all the crosses and afflictions, inward or outward, spiritual or bodily, with which he is pleased to visit us; namely, to bring us to the practice of self-denial.
Chapter XXII.
Showing How Our Works May Be Rendered Acceptable To G.o.d.
_Delight thyself in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart._-PS. 37:4.
As man in his natural state is obnoxious to the wrath of G.o.d (Eph. 2:3), it follows, that all his natural works, how great and good soever they may appear in the eye of the world, are subject to it likewise. For, without the grace of G.o.d, we can do nothing that is acceptable in his sight; but if a man be in a state of grace, then all his works are acceptable to G.o.d; because it is the grace of G.o.d which works them in him.
2. Whence it appears, that all manner of gifts whatsoever, as St. Paul a.s.sures us, are to be ascribed to the grace of G.o.d, not to ourselves (1 Cor. 15:10), and that by our own works we can never be justified or saved.
For though a man should suffer all the pains of martyrdom; though he should perform all the good actions that were ever done by all the saints from the beginning of the world, or that ever shall be done; though he should feed upon nothing but thorns, and suffer death, not once, but every day; yet could he not thereby, of himself, be able to procure the least grace. Depend not then upon thine own works, but upon the infinite mercies of G.o.d in Jesus Christ, with a resigned and humble spirit: and then be confident, that the same Jesus will, of his free love and mercy, give thee whatever he shall see expedient for thee. This is the meaning of the saying of our Lord, "When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants." Luke 17:10. O merciful G.o.d! how poor, how worthless in thy sight is our righteousness; it is no better than "filthy rags." Isa. 64:6. For all the works of good men would be of no value for our justification. Enter then into thy purchased inheritance by the surest gate, even the meritorious work of thy blessed Saviour. Offer up to G.o.d his pa.s.sion, for the punishments which thou hast deserved; his holy thoughts, for thy polluted imaginations; his many divine words, for thy vain speeches; in a word, all his works, his poverty, his patience, his meekness and charity, for all thy defects and omissions. Keep thine eyes fixed on the blessed Jesus, and thou shalt obtain grace and favor with G.o.d. With the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:20), return to thy offended Father, and he will receive and embrace thee. His mercies are unchangeably the same, ready to be communicated to every sincere penitent. This he freely offers to all, and nothing is more agreeable to him, than to show mercy to him that asks it in faith. For "his hand is not shortened, that it cannot save." Isa. 59:1. And the more wretched and miserable thou appearest in his sight, the more welcome shalt thou be to Him, who is desirous to enrich thee out of his own treasures.
The sins of the whole world, bear no more proportion to his infinite mercies, than a single drop of water does to the vast ocean. But as soon as thou art in a state of grace, all thy works wrought hence in thee, shall be made acceptable to G.o.d, through his only begotten Son, by whom alone we have access to his mercies. In this faith, in this union with the Son of G.o.d, thou shalt live. He is that living fountain that purifies all our uncleanness, and makes all our works acceptable in his sight. Zech.
13:1.
3. But still take heed to thyself, and remember that thou rest not even in thy spiritual privileges, which, as a child of G.o.d, are bestowed upon thee, but in G.o.d alone, the author and giver of them. Hence we are commanded, "to delight in the Lord" (Ps. 37:4); not in his gifts, but in his glory; that his will may be perfected in us. We must then refer all our gifts and graces to their munificent donor, even G.o.d. In order to use them aright, let this rule be deeply fixed in our minds. If thou hadst all the gifts and graces which G.o.d has bestowed, either in heaven, or on earth, with the good works of all the saints that have ever lived; as soon as thou beginnest to take an inordinate pleasure in them, and to delight in them as a property of thine own, they are immediately defiled with the stain and guilt of idolatry. For there is nothing either in heaven or earth, in which we ought to rest, but G.o.d alone. And when we do this, then G.o.d himself is our joy, our delight, our rest, our fulness, our treasure, and our refuge; and in this consists the fulness of blessing; we then become proper vessels of divine grace. For in proud spirits, which are the organs of the devil, G.o.d cannot operate; but "he giveth grace to the humble," as St. Peter tells us (1 Pet. 5:5), and filleth their souls with his treasures. Inward pride is the fruitful root of all vices. By this the devil keeps his strongholds in the soul, which G.o.d alone has a right to inhabit. The vine, as to its outward form, seems to be but a useless plant, fit for nothing but the fire; and yet, under that mean outside, conceals veins of most generous juice. So it is with all those G.o.dly persons, through whom the Spirit of G.o.d operates: they appear in the sight of men as vile and contemptible persons; their appearance is humble, and void of external grandeur; but within, they are full of invaluable treasures, even living streams of blessing flowing incessantly from the throne and presence of G.o.d. But they who are puffed up with their gifts, who make a show of their alms, who build altars in churches at their own cost, adorning them with their own names, arms, and t.i.tles of honor; these, by displaying so industriously their good deeds to the world, have indeed received their reward. In the same unhappy state also are they, whose mouths are full of their own wants and unworthiness, continually desiring others to pray for them; not considering that other alms, proceeding from an humble, sincere, and devout heart, are a more effectual prayer to G.o.d, than are all the intercessions of persons who know that these alms are given only for display.
4. If, then, thou wouldest have thy works to be sincere and acceptable before G.o.d, observe carefully these four general rules: 1. Think humbly of all thine actions, not respecting thyself, but G.o.d alone. 2. Let this humility be deeply rooted in thy soul, humbling thyself not only under the hand of G.o.d, but under every man, whether small or great, from a hearty sense of thine own unworthiness. 3. Look upon all that thou doest as unprofitable and worthless. 4. Have a profound dread of the secret judgment of G.o.d, not, indeed, as proceeding from any doubts about the mercies of G.o.d; but, regarding him as thy best friend, be careful to avoid everything that may disoblige or offend him. He that despises these four rules, renders even his best actions impure in the sight of G.o.d. But he that carefully attends to them as the rules of action, shall be like a green olive tree in the house of his G.o.d, bearing good fruit abundantly.
Ps. 52:8.
5. And we must observe that even the most inconsiderable thing thou doest, if it promote the good of thy neighbor, is acceptable to G.o.d; whilst he that employs not his talent to that end, shall have a serious account to give at the last day. This is the only use and end of G.o.d"s gifts, that we should readily and industriously employ them for the benefit of others.
Every action, art, employment, and profession, were given by G.o.d for this only end. And these are the works which, as our Lord tells us, "are wrought in G.o.d" (John 3:21); that is, in faith and charity, directed solely to the glory of G.o.d and the benefit of our neighbor, without any prospect of honor or advantage to ourselves, of which every man"s own conscience is the proper judge. Consider then carefully with thyself the spring and motives of all thy actions, remembering that if thou neglect or refuse to employ the blessings of G.o.d for thy neighbor"s benefit, thou must have the same punishment with the slothful servant, who was deprived of his talent which he had hid in the ground, and not employed, and saw it given to another that better knew how to use it. Matt. 25:26. Thus thou losest both the gift and the grace. No less foolish are they who pretend to things above their strength, who talk eloquently and fluently of what they neither practise nor understand. Though these should confidently pretend to speak by the authority of the blessed Trinity, yet is all this nothing but empty boasting, unless they demonstrate that they experimentally know what they so magisterially inculcate.
6. Remember also, that no actions, how great and glorious soever in appearance, which proceed only from ostentation and vainglory, can be well pleasing to G.o.d. For as is the principle of our actions, such are also the actions proceeding from it. Whence it follows, that such as regard themselves only, are no better than impostors and hypocrites. Their best works are no better than painted sepulchres, which appear beautiful without, but within are full of nothing but corruption. There is in them no pure love of G.o.d, no desire to promote his glory; but only a certain carnal self-love and an insatiable thirst of vainglory.
7. The sum of all is this, that all our works, how specious soever they may appear, if they be directed to any other end but G.o.d, are nothing but vanity and idolatry. For he is truly an idolater, who proposes to himself any other end or aim but G.o.d. Wherefore, if thou hast any gifts, use them, but take heed that thy heart rest not in them; if it so rest, thou art guilty of idolatry.
Chapter XXIII.
Of The Mystery Of The Cross, By Which We Are Drawn To G.o.d.
_He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me._-MATT. 10:38.
Let all that desire to be the true disciples and followers of Jesus Christ, bear their cross in this world, be it what it may; for if thou flee from one, another will meet thee; and do what thou wilt, thou must bear it. But under every cross the hand of G.o.d is with us, to lighten it and make it easy, and by his a.s.sistance we may bear it with pleasure. But when G.o.d withdraws his hand, then, indeed, it is a heavy burden. Now the Son of G.o.d bore a very heavy burden, and in the most afflicting circ.u.mstances; of which, in their proportion, all his true friends and followers have been partakers. Words cannot express the many and great advantages that are in the cross; forasmuch as G.o.d lays it upon us in mere love, that he may thereby draw us to himself, and make us "conformable to the image of his Son" (Rom. 8:29), and partakers of eternal happiness. The wounds in Christ"s sacred feet, should teach us abstinence and patience: abstinence from carnal l.u.s.ts and fleshly pleasures; and patience under all afflictions and oppositions, whether from within or without. The wounds in his sacred hands, should teach us silence and contempt of worldly things.
The wound in his side, should teach us to deny ourselves, and seek for rest and joy in Christ alone. His naked body stretched on the cross, should continually put us in mind, that we must be stripped and bare of all created comforts. For as Christ was fixed naked to the cross, and his garments were parted by lot before his blessed eyes (Ps. 22:18; Matt.
27:35), so, be a.s.sured, that if thou art desirous of perfection, thou must be stripped of everything which is not of G.o.d. And as every cross, however small, is laid upon thee by the particular order and direction of Providence, so thou oughtest to receive it with thankfulness. For the beloved friends of G.o.d have always the greatest share of afflictions. The devil always makes use of our prosperity, as the best season and occasion of our ruin; to prevent which, it pleases G.o.d, in mere compa.s.sion, to visit his children with a variety of crosses and afflictions, thereby withdrawing us from the love of the world, and disappointing the malicious designs of the tempter. Did we but know how efficacious the cross is in bringing us to G.o.d, driving away the devil from us, and ent.i.tling us to future glories, we should not only expect it with patience, but run out vigorously to meet it. For so great is the dignity, so transcendent are the benefits of the cross, that G.o.d has allotted it as the inseparable companion of all his chosen servants.
2. Did we thoroughly consider the benefits and honor of the cross, we should think ourselves unworthy of so great a blessing; for great is the honor of being made like unto the Son of G.o.d! He was never acceptable to the world, but was its scorn and derision. But now, scarcely one Christian in a thousand is come to that perfection, as not to desire to please the world. He that pleaseth the world, cannot, however, please G.o.d: and he that is full of the world, is empty of G.o.d. But so far as a man dies to himself and the world, so far is Christ, the true life, advanced in him.
No man can please G.o.d better than by fully submitting to his will. If my prince should like to see me in one suit of clothes rather than in any other, I should certainly esteem it better than the most gaudy dress. And since my G.o.d is better pleased to see me under the cross, I ought certainly to prefer it to all the affluence and glories of the world. But perhaps thou art in doubt with thyself, whether the cross which thou bearest, has come from G.o.d; if so, let this be the test: Whatsoever thou sufferest for thine own sake, will be grievous and tedious, but if thou suffer for G.o.d"s sake, thy cross will be easy, for G.o.d himself will lighten it. What matters it then, whether thy load be of the weight of a hundred or of a thousand pounds, if He but lend a helping hand, and make thy yoke easy and thy burden light. Matt. 11:30. Wherefore, O Lord, lay upon me what burden thou pleasest; only a.s.sist me in my weakness with the everlasting arms of thy omnipotence!-Observe, in the next place, that the choicest blessings of G.o.d are bestowed upon us whilst we are under the cross; and though they are sometimes bestowed beforehand, yet it is the cross that confirms them in the soul; and as it is so very useful and necessary to the soul, G.o.d has given a large share of it to his faithful friends and servants, and particularly to his only begotten Son Jesus Christ; the advantage it brings with it, making it tolerable and easy to be borne. Devout men submit themselves entirely to G.o.d, keeping their minds easy and cheerful under all the vicissitudes of life. Particularly, they take care to preserve humility, as the best guard against the a.s.saults of their spiritual adversaries. Though G.o.d sent his only Son into the world, in order to suffer in his human nature, yet we expect an exemption from sufferings. But, be a.s.sured that if you would walk in the same way, and rest upon a firm foundation, you must expect to suffer with Christ, and in some degree at least, to have your lives conformable to his. Every affliction, how small soever, is a token of divine love, commissioned to visit us for our good. And the united malice of earth and h.e.l.l cannot do the least hurt to a devout man trained up in sufferings, and in obedience to the discipline of the cross. The more his enemies a.s.sault, the higher is he exalted by G.o.d. And though he should be thrust down into h.e.l.l, yet even there would he meet his G.o.d, and h.e.l.l itself should be a heaven and blessedness to him.
3. When G.o.d sees a man too weak for a temptation, he refreshes him a little with his consolations, that he may not entirely sink under it: but he should know, that these intermissions are only allowed him in order to recover his strength, that he may the better bear up against a fresh a.s.sault. So it pleases the divine love to exercise men, that by various trials and temptations, they may be brought to despise all worldly enjoyments, and, like the panting hart (Ps. 42:1), may long for the fountains of divine peace and joy, the refreshing streams of life and glory. There the weary soul may drink and be satisfied, and quench its thirst in those rivers of pleasure which are ever flowing from the tender and paternal love of G.o.d. This is what the wise men of this world neither know nor understand. For the natural man cannot discern the things of the Spirit of G.o.d. If the children of a family should plunder the wine-cellar, and be intoxicated, whilst the father is asleep in his bed, how would he bear it when informed of the matter? Would he not correct their extravagance by wholesome severities? Thus G.o.d deals with his children. He allows them plentiful draughts of spiritual comfort, and refreshes them with his mercies, as with new wine; but when he sees that they are immoderately fond of it, he withdraws it from them, and corrects their extravagant joy, by mixtures of gall and wormwood, bringing them thereby to a sense of their fault, and of their necessary dependence upon him.
They then begin to think meanly of themselves, and to bewail their vain presumption, which made them fancy that they could do and suffer anything for G.o.d"s sake, whereas now they are ready to sink under a very small burden. We know that Christ led the way for us in misery, poverty, and contempt, even unto death; and we must follow him in the same way if we desire to enter into heaven with him. So great is our pride, that G.o.d sometimes cannot break it, but by some exemplary shame, which quickly brings us to our senses, and shows us our own unworthiness. This is the only means of bringing us to a true knowledge of ourselves. Many a man has gone astray for want of these wholesome trials. He that considers this as he ought, will certainly rejoice in shame and reproaches for G.o.d"s sake.
For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth in this manner, in order to cure him of his arrogance and pride, and bring him to humble thoughts of himself.
4. Whosoever will follow the blessed Jesus, must "deny himself, and take up his cross." Many would freely follow him, if they could do it without difficulties and sufferings; but these, aiming chiefly at their own ease, whilst they pretend to follow Christ, will find themselves deceived at the last. For it behooved Christ to die, and to suffer, and to enter into his kingdom (Luke 24:26, 46): and if we intend to share with him in the glories of his kingdom, we must also be content to share in his sufferings; for unless we suffer with him here, we shall never reign with him hereafter. So, then, if we intend to follow him, we must cheerfully and contentedly submit to every cross, whether inward or outward, and by this means we shall at length arrive at the glories which he himself attained by the cross. How many do we see every day drudging in the service of the world; they venture body and soul; go into foreign countries; rush through fire and sword; and all for the sake of a little uncertain honor; and shall not we do as much to purchase the everlasting glories of heaven, as they do for the trifling riches and glories of this world? G.o.d manifests himself to us under the cross, as much as in the most cheerful spiritual visitations; yea, we then receive greater communications of heavenly joy, when we are most empty of worldly comforts. For as salt preserves flesh from putrefaction; so afflictions and temptations keep the soul from falling into sin and misery. And the deeper a man sinks into the centre of humility by the cross, the deeper does he penetrate into the heart of G.o.d, which is always open to receive and embrace the mortified and humble soul. This is the great end proposed by G.o.d, in all his various methods of humbling us; that, being sensible of our own great corruption, we may die to ourselves, and live entirely unto him. The saints of old, when under heavy tribulations, could no otherwise possess their souls in patience and liberty, than by a total abandonment and denial of themselves, being ready to submit to every cross which G.o.d should lay upon them, even though it should last during their whole life.
By this humility, obedience, and self-denial, they were at last delivered.