Chap. LVII That a Man Should Not Be Too Much Dejected When He Falls Into Some Defects
1. Son, patience and humility in adversity are more pleasing to me, than much consolation and devotion in prosperity.
Why art thou disturbed at a little thing said against thee?
If it had been more, thou oughtest not to be moved.
But now let it pass, it is not the first, or any thing new, nor will it be the last, if thou live long.
Thou art valiant enough, as long as no adversary or opposition comes in thy way:
Thou canst also give good advice, and encourage others with thy words: but when any unexpected trouble comes to knock at thy door, then thy counsel and thy courage fails thee.
Consider thy great frailty, which thou often experiencest in small difficulties. Yet it is done for thy good, as often as these or such like things befal thee.
2. Put it out of thy heart the best thou canst; and if it had touched thee, yet let it not cast thee down, nor keep thee a long time entangled.
At least bear it patiently, if thou canst not receive it with joy.
And though thou be not willing to hear it, and perceivest an indignation arising within thyself, yet repress thyself, and suffer no inordinate word to come out of thy mouth which may scandalize the weak.
The commotion which is stirred up in thee will quickly be allayed, and thy inward pain will be sweetened by the return of grace.
I am still living, saith the Lord, ready to help thee, and comfort thee more than before, if thou put thy trust in me, and devoutly call upon me.
3. Keep thy mind calm and even, and prepare thyself for bearing still more.
All is not lost, if thou feel thyself often afflicted or grievously tempted:
Thou art man and not God, thou art flesh and not an angel.
How canst thou look to continue ever in the same state of virtue, when this was not found in the angels in heaven, nor in the first man in Paradise?
I am he that raises up, and saves them that mourn; and them that know their own infirmity I advance to my divinity.
4. O Lord, blessed be this thy word, it is more sweet to my mouth than honey, and the honey-comb.
What shall I do in my so great tribulations and anguishes, didst thou not encourage me with thy holy words?
What matter is it how much or what I suffer, so I come but at length to the haven of salvation.
Grant me a good end, grant me a happy passage out of this world:
Be ever mindful of me, O my God, and direct me by this strait road to thy kingdom. Amen.