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created thing； but in God alone。 For the love of God thou must willingly
undergo all things； whether labours or sorrows； temptations； vexations；
anxieties； necessities； infirmities； injuries； gainsayings； rebukes；
humiliations； confusions； corrections； despisings； these things help unto
virtue； these things prove the scholar of Christ； these things fashion the
heavenly crown。 I will give thee an eternal reward for short labour； and
infinite glory for transient shame。
3。 〃Thinkest thou that thou shalt always have spiritual consolations at
thy will？ My Saints had never such； but instead thereof manifold griefs；
and divers temptations； and heavy desolations。 But patiently they bore
themselves in all； and trusted in God more than in themselves； knowing
that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with
the glory which shall be received in us。（2） Wouldst thou have that
immediately which many have hardly attained unto after many tears and
hard labours？ Wait for the Lord； quit thyself like a man and be strong； be
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not faint…hearted； nor go aside from Me； but constantly devote thy body
and soul to the glory of God。 I will reward thee plenteously； I will be with
thee in trouble。〃（3）
（1） Revelation ii。 17。 （2） Romans viii。 17。 （3） Psalm xci。 15。
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CHAPTER 71
Against vain judgments of men
〃My Son； anchor thy soul firmly upon God； and fear not man's
judgments； when conscience pronounceth thee pious and innocent。 It is
good and blessed thus to suffer； nor will it be grievous to the heart which
is humble； and which trusteth in God more than in itself。 Many men
have many opinions； and therefore little trust is to be placed in them。 But
moreover it is impossible to please all。 Although Paul studied to please
all men in the Lord； and to become all things to all men；（1） yet
nevertheless with him it was a very small thing that he should be judged
by man's judgment。〃（2） 2。 He laboured abundantly； as much as in him
lay； for the building up and the salvation of others； but he could not avoid
being sometimes judged and despised by others。 Therefore he committed
all to God； who knew all； and by patience and humility defended himself
against evil speakers； or foolish and false thinkers； and those who accused
him according to their pleasure。 Nevertheless； from time to time he replied；
lest his silence should become a stumbling…block to those who were weak。
3。 〃Who art thou； that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die？
To…day he is； and to…morrow his place is not found。 Fear God and thou
shalt not quail before the terrors of men。 What can any man do against
thee by words or deeds？ He hurteth himself more than thee； nor shall he
escape the judgment of God； whosoever he may be。 Have thou God
before thine eyes； and do not contend with fretful words。 And if for the
present thou seem to give way； and to suffer confusion which thou hast not
deserved； be not angry at this； nor by impatience diminish thy reward； but
rather look up to Me in heaven； for I am able to deliver thee from all
confusion and hurt； and to render to every man according to his works。〃
（1） I Corinthians ix。 22。 （2） I Corinthians iv。 3。
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CHAPTER 72
Of pure and entire resignation of self； for obtaining liberty of heart
〃My Son； lose thyself and thou shalt find Me。 Stand still without all
choosing and all thought of self； and thou shalt ever be a gainer。 For
more grace shall be added to thee； as soon as thou resignest thyself； and so
long as thou dost not turn back to take thyself again。〃
2。 O Lord； how often shall I resign myself； and in what things shall I
lose myself？
3。 〃Always； every hour： in that which is little； and in that which is
great。 I make no exception； but will that thou be found naked in all
things。 Otherwise how canst thou be Mine and I thine； unless thou be
inwardly and outwardly free from every will of thine own？ The sooner
thou dost this； the better shall it be with thee； and the more fully and
sincerely； the more thou shalt please Me； and the more abundantly shalt
thou be rewarded。
4。 〃Some resign themselves； but with certain reservations； for they do
not fully trust in God； therefore they think that they have some provision
to make for themselves。 Some again at first offer everything； but
afterwards being pressed by temptation they return to their own devices；
and thus make no progress in virtue。 They will not attain to the true liberty
of a pure heart； nor to the grace of My sweet companionship； unless they
first entirely resign themselves and daily offer themselves up as a sacrifice；
without this the union which bringeth forth fruit standeth not nor will
stand。
5。 〃Many a time I have said unto thee； and now say again； Give thyself
up； resign thyself； and thou shalt have great inward peace。 Give all for
all； demand nothing； ask nothing in return； stand simply and with no
hesitation in Me； and thou shalt possess Me。 Thou shalt have liberty of
heart； and the darkness shall not overwhelm thee。 For this strive thou；
pray for it； long after it； that thou mayest be delivered from all possession
of thyself； and nakedly follow Jesus who was made naked for thee； mayest
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die unto thyself and live eternally to Me。 Then shall all vain fancies
disappear； all evil disturbings； and superfluous cares。 Then also shall
immoderate fear depart from thee； and inordinate love shall die。〃
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