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of consolation than it was of old； under the old Testament； when the gate
of heaven remained shut； and even the way to heaven seemed more
obscure when so few cared to seek after the heavenly kingdom。 But not
even those who were then just and in the way of salvation were able；
before Thy Passion and the ransom of Thy holy Death； to enter the
kingdom of heaven。
3。 Oh what great thanks am I bond to give Thee； who hast vouchsafed
to show me and all faithful people the good and right way to Thine eternal
kingdom； for Thy way is our way； and by holy patience we walk to Thee
who art our Crown。 If Thou hadst not gone before and taught us； who
would care to follow？ Oh； how far would they have gone backward if
they had not behelf Thy glorious example！ Behold we are still lukewarm；
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though we have heard of Thy many signs and discourses； what would
become of us if we had not such a light to help us follow Thee？
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CHAPTER 54
Of bearing injuries； and who shall be approved as truly patient
〃What sayest thou； My Son？ Cease to complain； consider My
suffering and that of My saints。 Thou hast not yet resisted unto blood。（1）
It is little which thou sufferest in comparison with those who have suffered
so many things； have been so strongly tempted； so grievously troubled； so
manywise proved and tried。 Thou oughtest therefore to call to mind the
more grievous sufferings of others that thou mightest bear thy lesser ones
more easily； and if they seem not to thee little； see that it is not thy
impatience which is the cause of this。 But whether they be little or
whether they be great； study to bear them all with patience。
2。 〃So far as thou settest thyself to bear patiently； so far thou dost
wisely and art deserving of the more merit； thou shalt also bear the more
easily if thy mind and habit are carefully trained hereunto。 And say not 'I
cannot bear these things from such a man； nor are things of this kind to be
borne by me； for he hath done me grievous harm and imputeth to me what
I had never thought： but from another I will suffer patiently； such things as
I see I ought to suffer。' Foolish is such a thought as this； for it
considereth not the virtue of patience； nor by whom that virtue is to be
crowned； but it rather weighteth persons and offences against self。
3。 〃He is not truly patient who will only suffer as far as seemeth right
to himself and from whom he pleaseth。 But the truly patient man
considereth not by what man he is tried； whether by one above him； or by
an equal or inferior； whether by a good and holy man； or a perverse and
unworthy； but indifferently from every creature； whatsoever or how often
soever adversity happeneth to him； he gratefully accepteth all from the
hand of God and counteth it great gain； for with God nothing which is
borne for His sake； however small； shall lose its reward。
4。 〃Be thou therefore ready for the fight if thou wilt have the victory。
Without striving thou canst not win the crown of patience； if thou wilt not
suffer thou refusest to be crowned。 But if thou desirest to be crowned；
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strive manfully； endure patiently。 Without labour thou drawest not near
to rest； nor without fighting comest thou to victory。〃
5。 Make possible to me； O Lord； by grace what seemeth impossible to
me by nature。 Thou knowest how little I am able to bear； and how
quickly I am cast down when a like adversity riseth up against me。
Whatsoever trial of tribulation may come to me； may it become unto me
pleasing and acceptable； for to suffer and be vexed for Thy sake is
exceeding healthful to the soul。
（1） Hebrews xii。 4。
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CHAPTER 55
Of confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee；（1） I will confess to Thee； Lord；
my infirmity。 It is often a small thing which casteth me down and
maketh me sad。 I resolve that I will act bravely； but when a little
temptation cometh； immediately I am in a great strait。 Wonderfully small
sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh； and whilst
I imagine myself safe for a little space； when I am not considering； I find
myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind。
2。 Behold； therefore； O Lord； my humility and my fraility； which is
altogether known to Thee。 Be merciful unto me； and draw me out of the
mire that I sink not；（2） lest I ever remain cast down。 This is what
frequently throweth me backward and confoundeth me before Thee； that I
am so liable to fall； so weak to resist my passions。 And though their
assault is not altogether according to my will； it is violent and grievous；
and it altogether wearieth me to live thus daily in conflict。 Herein is my
infirmity made known to me； that hateful fancies always rush in far more
easily than they depart。
3。 Oh that Thou； most mighty God of Israel； Lover of all faithful souls；
wouldst look upon the labour and sorrow of Thy servant； and give him
help in all things whereunto he striveth。 Strengthen me with heavenly
fortitude； lest the old man； this miserable flesh； not being yet fully
subdued to the spirit； prevail to rule over me； against which I ought to
strive so long as I remain in this most miserable life。 Of what a life is
this； where tribulations and miseries cease not； where all things are full of
snares and of enemies； for when one tribulation or temptation goeth；
another cometh； yea； while the former conflict is yet raging others come
more in number