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hast not the favour of men； be not thereby cast down； but let thy concern
be that thou holdest not thyself so well and circumspectly； as becometh a
servant of God and a devout monk。 It is often better and safer for a man
not to have many comforts in this life； especially those which concern the
flesh。 But that we lack divine comforts or feel them rarely is to our own
blame； because we seek not compunction of heart； not utterly cast away
those comforts which are vain and worldly。
4。 Know thyself to be unworthy of divine consolation； and worthy
rather of much tribulation。 When a man hath perfect compunction； then
all the world is burdensome and bitter to him。 A good man will find
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sufficient cause for mourning and weeping； for whether he considereth
himself； or pondereth concerning his neighbour； he knoweth that no man
liveth here without tribulation； and the more throughly he considereth
himself； the more throughly he grieveth。 Grounds for just grief and inward
compunction there are in our sins and vices； wherein we lie so entangled
that we are but seldom able to contemplate heavenly things。
5。 If thou thoughtest upon thy death more often than how long thy life
should be； thou wouldest doubtless strive more earnestly to improve。
And if thou didst seriously consider the future pains of hell； I believe thou
wouldest willingly endure toil or pain and fear not discipline。 But
because these things reach not the heart； and we still love pleasant things；
therefore we remain cold and miserably indifferent。
6。 Oftentimes it is from poverty of spirit that the wretched body is so
easily led to complain。 Pray therefore humbly unto the Lord that He will
give thee the spirit of compunction and say in the language of the prophet；
Feed me； O Lord； with bread of tears； and give me plenteousness of tears
to drink。（1）
（1） Psalm lxxv。 5。
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CHAPTER 21
On the contemplation of human misery
Thou art miserable wheresoever thou art； and whithersoever thou
turnest； unless thou turn thee to God。 Why art thou disquieted because it
happeneth not to thee according to thy wishes and desires？ Who is he
that hath everything according to his will？ Neither I； nor thou； nor any
man upon the earth。 There is no man in the world free from trouble or
anguish； though he were King or Pope。 Who is he who hath the happiest
lot？ Even he who is strong to suffer somewhat for God。
2。 There are many foolish and unstable men who say； 〃See what a
prosperous life that man hath； how rich and how great he is； how powerful；
how exalted。〃 But lift up thine eyes to the good things of heaven； and
thou shalt see that all these worldly things are nothing； they are utterly
uncertain； yea； they are wearisome； because they are never possessed
without care and fear。 The happiness of man lieth not in the abundance
of temporal things but a moderate portion sufficeth him。 Our life upon
the earth is verily wretchedness。 The more a man desireth to be spiritual；
the more bitter doth the present life become to him； because he the better
understandeth and seeth the defects of human corruption。 For to eat； to
drink； to watch； to sleep； to rest； to labour； and to be subject to the other
necessities of nature； is truly a great wretchedness and affliction to a
devout man； who would fain be released and free from all sin。
3。 For the inner man is heavily burdened with the necessities of the
body in this world。 Wherefore the prophet devoutly prayeth to be freed
from them； saying； Deliver me from my necessities； O Lord。（1） But woe
to those who know not their own misery； and yet greater woe to those who
love this miserable and corruptible life。 For to such a degree do some
cling to it （even though by labouring or begging they scarce procure what
is necessary for subsistence） that if they might live here always； they
would care nothing for the Kingdom of God。
4。 Oh foolish and faithless of heart； who lie buried so deep in worldly
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things； that they relish nothing save the things of the flesh！ Miserable
ones！ they will too sadly find out at the last； how vile and worthless was
that which they loved。 The saints of God and all loyal friends of Christ
held as nothing the things which pleased the flesh； or those which
flourished in this life； but their whole hope and affection aspired to the
things which are above。 Their whole desire was borne upwards to
everlasting and invisible things； lest they should be drawn downwards by
the love of things visible。
5。 Lose not； brother； thy loyal desire of progress to things spiritual。
There is yet time； the hour is not past。 Why wilt thou put off thy
resolution？ Arise； begin this very moment； and say； 〃Now is the time to
do： now is the time to fight； now is the proper time for amendment。〃
When thou art ill at ease and troubled； then is the time when thou art
nearest unto blessing。 Thou must go through fire and water that God may
bring thee into a wealthy place。 Unless thou put force upon thyself； thou
wilt not conquer thy faults。 So long as we carry about with us this frail
body； we cannot be without sin； we cannot live without weariness and
trouble。 Gladly would we have rest from all misery； but because through
sin we have lost innocence； we have lost also the true happiness。
Therefore must we be patient； and wait for the mercy of God； until this
tyranny be overpast； and this mortality be swallowed up of life。
6。 O how great is the frailty of man； which is ever prone to evil！ To…
day thou confessest thy sins； and to…morrow thou committest again the
sins thou didst co