_That self-love most hindereth our attainment of
the supreme love._
_Christ._ SON, thou oughtest to give all for all, and to retain nothing
of thyself.
Know, that the love of thyself doth hurt thee more than any thing in
the world.
According to the love and affection thou bearest to it, every thing
cleaves unto thee more or less.
If thy love be pure, thou shalt not be in bondage to any thing.
Covet not that which thou mayst not have. Be not willing to have that
which may deprive thee of inward liberty.
It is strange that thou committest not thyself wholly unto me, from the
bottom of thy heart, with all things that thou canst desire or have.
2. Why dost thou consume thyself with vain grief? Why art thou tired
with needless cares?
Stand to my will, and thou shalt suffer no detriment.
*If thou seekest this or that, and wouldest be here or there, to enjoy
thy own will and pleasure; thou shalt never be at quiet, nor free from
care:
*For in every thing somewhat will be wanting, and in every place there
will be some that will cross thee.
3. It availeth thee therefore not to multiply outward things, but to
despise them, and utterly root them out of thy heart.
Unless thou standest stedfast in me, thou mayst change, but not better
thyself.
For when occasion of change happens, and is embraced, thou shalt find
not only those things which thou soughtest to fly, but a great deal
more.
4. _Christian._ Strengthen me, O God, by the grace of thy Holy Spirit.
Give me to be strengthened in my inward man, and to empty my heart of
all uncomfortable care.
*Not to be drawn away with the desire of any thing, either mean or
precious; but to look upon all things as passing away, and myself as
passing away together with them.
5. Grant me, O Lord, heavenly wisdom, that I may learn above all things
to seek and find thee, above all things to relish thee, and to love
thee.
And to think of all other things as they are, according to the disposal
of thy wisdom.