Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus
Christ
“My Son, he who striveth to withdraw himself from obedience,
withdraweth himself also from grace, and he who seeketh private
advantages, loseth those which are common unto all. If a man submit not
freely and willingly to one set over him, it is a sign that his flesh
is not yet perfectly subject to himself, but often resisteth and
murmureth. Learn therefore quickly to submit thyself to him who is over
thee, if thou seekest to bring thine own flesh into subjection. For the
outward enemy is very quickly overcome if the inner man have not been
laid low. There is no more grievous and deadly enemy to the soul than
thou art to thyself, if thou art not led by the Spirit. Thou must not
altogether conceive contempt for thyself, if thou wilt prevail against
flesh and blood. Because as yet thou inordinately lovest thyself,
therefore thou shrinkest from yielding thyself to the will of others.
2. “But what great thing is it that thou, who art dust and nothingness,
yieldest thyself to man for God’s sake, when I, the Almighty and the
Most High, who created all things out of nothing, subjected Myself to
man for thy sake? I became the most humble and despised of men, that by
My humility thou mightest overcome thy pride. Learn to obey, O dust!
Learn to humble thyself, O earth and clay, and to bow thyself beneath
the feet of all. Learn to crush thy passions, and to yield thyself in
all subjection.
3. “Be zealous against thyself, nor suffer pride to live within thee,
but so show thyself subject and of no reputation, that all may be able
to walk over thee, and tread thee down as the clay in the streets. What
hast thou, O foolish man, of which to complain? What, O vile sinner,
canst thou answer those who speak against thee, seeing thou hast so
often offended God, and many a time hast deserved hell? But Mine eye
hath spared thee, because thy soul was precious in My sight; that thou
mightest know My love, and mightest be thankful for My benefits; and
that thou mightest give thyself altogether to true subjection and
humility, and patiently bear the contempt which thou meritest.”