The zealous and watchful Christian bears patiently, and performs cheerfully, whatever is commanded: but he that is cold and negligent suffers tribulation upon tribulation, and of all men is most miserable; for he is destitute of inward and spiritual comfort, and to that which is outward and carnal, he is forbidden to have recourse. He that obstinately throws off the restraints of Christ's easy yoke, is not only in danger of irrecoverable ruin, but will find himself deceived in the expectation of a life of relaxation and liberty; for restraint, opposition, and disgust, will perpetually arise, wherever he turns the imaginations and desires of his heart.

Consider the spiritual life of the apostles and first followers of Christ, as the object of thy imitation; and doubt not but the mercy of God, to all that turn the desire of their heart to Him, will enable thee to follow it. In this path thou mayst go forward with increasing hope and strength; and, in this path, thou wilt approach heaven with such speedy steps, as soon to despise and forget all human strength, consolation, and dependence.

When a man is so far advanced in the Christian life, as not to seek consolation from any created thing, then does he first begin perfectly to enjoy God; then," in whatever state he is, he will therewith be content ;" then, neither can prosperity exalt, nor adversity depress him; but his heart is wholly fixed and established in God, who is his All in All; with respect to whom, nothing perisheth, nothing dieth ; but all things live to his glory, and are continually subservient to his blessed will.

Be always mindful of the great end of temporary nature; and remember, that time once lost will never return. Without perpetual watchfulness and diligence, holiness can never be attained; for the moment thou beginnest to relax in these, thou wilt feel inward imbecility, disorder, and disquietude.

If thou press forward with unabated fervor, thou shalt find strength and peace; and, through the mercy of God, and the love of holiness which his grace hath inspired, wilt perceive "thy yoke” become daily "more easy, and thy burden more light.” Reflect, that it is only the fervent and diligent soul that is prepared for all duty and for all events; that it is greater toil to resist evil habits and violent passions, than to sweat at the hardest labor; that he who is not careful to resist and subdue small sins, will insensibly fall into greater; and that thou shalt always have joy in the evening, if thou hast spent the day well. Watch over thyself, therefore; excite and admonish thyself; and whatever is done by others, do not neglect thyself. Thou wilt make advances in imitating the life of Christ, in proportion to the violence with which thou deniest thyself. Amen.

THE

IMITATION OF CHRIST.

BOOK SECOND.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MORE INTIMATE ENJOYMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE.

CHAPTER I.

Internal Conversation.

"THE kingdom of God is within you," saith our blessed Redeemer. Abandon, therefore, the cares and pleasures of this wretched world, and turn to the Lord with all thy heart, and thy soul shall find rest. If thou withdrawest thy attention from outward things, and keepest it fixed upon what passeth within thee, thou wilt soon perceive the "coming of the kingdom of God;" for "the kingdom of God is that peace and joy in the Holy Ghost," which cannot be received by sensual and worldly men. All the glory and beauty of Christ are manifested within, and there he delights to dwell; his visits there are frequent, his condescension amazing, his conversation sweet, his comforts refreshing, and the peace that he brings passeth all understanding.

O faithful soul, dispose thy heart for the reception of this Bridegroom, who will not fail to fulfil the promise which he hath made thee in these words: “ If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him; and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." Give, therefore, free admission to Christ, and exclude all others as intruders. When thou possessest Christ, thou art rich, and canst want no other treasure: he will protect thee so powerfully, and provide for thee so liberally, that thou wilt no more have need to depend on the caprice of men. Men are changeable and evanescent as "the morning cloud:" but Christ abideth eternally, and in him the fountain of strength and peace will flow for ever.

Thou must not place any confidence in frail and mortal men, however endeared by reciprocal affection or offices of kindness: nor art thou to be grieved, when, from some change in their temper, they become unfriendly and injurious; for men are inconstant as the wind, and he that is for thee to-day, may to-morrow be against thee. But place thy whole confidence in God, and let him be all thy fear, all thy love: He will answer for thee against the great accuser, and do that which is most conducive to thy deliverance from evil.

and

Here thou hast "no continuing city ;" and whatever be thy situation, thou art "a stranger and a pilgrim," ," and canst never obtain rest till thou art united to Christ. Why, then, dost thou stand gazing about the earth, when the earth is not the seat of thy repose? Thy proper dwelling-place is heaven; and

earthly objects are only to be transiently viewed as thou travellest to it; they are all hurried away in the resistless current of time, and thy earthly life with them; beware, therefore, of adhering to them, lest thou be bound in their chains, and perish in their ruin. Let thy thoughts dwell with the Most High, and thy desire and prayer ascend without intermission to Christ.

Christ was rejected of men ; and, in the extremity of distress, forsaken by his disciples and friends. He chose to suffer thus, and to be thus deserted and despised; and dost thou complain of injury and contempt from others? Christ had enemies and slanderers; wilt thou have all men to be thy friends and admirers? How can thy patience be crowned in heaven, if thou have no adversity to struggle with on earth? Canst thou be the friend and follower of Christ, and not the partaker of his sufferings? Thou must, therefore, suffer with Christ, and for his sake, if thou indeed desirest to reign with him. If thou hadst but once "known the fellowship of the sufferings of Jesus," and been sensible, though in a small degree, of the divine ardor of his love, thou wouldst be more indifferent about thy own personal share in the good and evil of the present

life; and far from courting the favor and applause of men, wouldst rather rejoice to meet with their reproach and scorn, for the sake of Jesus. He that loves Jesus, who is the Truth, and is delivered from the slavery of inordinate desire, can always freely turn to God; and raising himself in spirit above