_Of four things that bring much peace._
_Christ._ SON, now will I teach thee the way of peace, and true liberty.
*Endeavour to do rather the will of another than thy own.
*Ever chuse rather to have less than more.
*Always seek the lowest place, and to be beneath every one.
*Continually wish and pray, that the will of God may be wholly
fulfilled in thee.
Behold such a man entereth into the ♦bounds of peace and quietness.
♦ “bonds” replaced with “bounds” per Errata
2. _Christian._ Lord, this thy short speech containeth much perfection.
Thou, who canst do all things, and ever lovest the profiting of my soul,
increase in me thy grace, that I may fulfil thy works, and work out my
own salvation.
My Lord God, be not far from me; my God, consider and help me; for
sundry thoughts have risen up against me, afflicting my soul.
How shall I pass through them without hurt? How shall I utterly break
them?
_Christ._ I will go before thee, and will humble the great ones of the
earth. I will open the doors of the prison, and reveal unto thee hidden
secrets.
_Christian._ Do Lord, as thou sayest, and let all evil thoughts fly
before thy face.
This is my hope, my only comfort to fly unto thee in every tribulation;
to trust in thee, to call upon thee from my heart, and to expect
patiently thy comfort.
*3. Enlighten me, O good Jesus, with a clear shining inward light, and
drive away all darkness from the habitation of my heart.
Repress my wandering thoughts, and drive away those temptations which
violently assault me.
Fight strongly for me, and vanquish those evil beasts, these enticing
lusts, that so peace may be obtained by thy power, and abundance of thy
praise found in the holy court of a pure conscience.
*Command the winds, and the tempests; say unto the sea, Be still, and
to the north wind, Blow not, and there shall be a great calm.
*4. Send forth thy light and thy truth, that they may shine upon the
earth; for I am as the earth, without form, and void, until thou
enlighten me.
*Pour out thy grace from above, let thy heavenly dew distill upon my
heart.
*Supply streams of devotion, to water the face of the earth, that it
may bring forth good and excellent fruit.
Lift up my mind, which is pressed down by the weight of my sins. Draw
up my whole desire to heavenly things; that having tasted the sweetness
of supernatural happiness, it may be irksome to me even to think of
earthly vanities.
5. Snatch me, and deliver me from all the unlasting comfort of
creatures; for no created thing can fully comfort and quiet my desire.
*Join me unto thee with an inseparable band of love; for thou alone
dost satisfy him that loveth thee, and without thee all things are
frivolous.