CHAPTER III.

_That the words of God are to be heard with humility, and that many weigh them not._

_Christ._ SON, hear my words, words of the greatest sweetness, excelling all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world.

My words are spirit and life, not to be weighed by the understanding of man.

They are to be heard with silence and to be received with all humility and great affection.

_Christian._ Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct, O Lord, and shalt teach thy law: that thou mayest give him rest from the evil days, and that he be not destroyed upon earth.

2. _Christ._ I have taught the prophets from the beginning, and cease not in these days to speak to every one; but many are hardened, and deaf to my speech:

Most men more willingly listen to the world than to God; and follow sooner the desires of the flesh, than the will of God.

The world promiseth temporal and small things, and is served with great eagerness: I promise high and eternal things, and the hearts of men are unmoved.

Who is he that serveth and obeyeth me, with such care as the world and the lords therefore are served with?

Blush, therefore, slothful and complaining servant, that they are more eager for destruction, than thou for life.

They rejoice more in vanity, than thou in the truth.

And yet they are often frustrated of their hope; but my promise deceiveth none, nor sendeth him away empty that trusteth in me.

What I have promised, I will give; I will fulfil what I have said, to him that remains faithful in my love to the end.

I am the rewarder of all that are good, and try my servants with strong trials.

3. Write my words in thy heart and think diligently of them; for they will be very necessary in the time of temptation.

*What thou understandest not when thou readest, thou shalt know in the day of visitation.

I am wont to visit my elect two ways; with temptation, and with comfort.

And I daily read two lessons unto them; one reprehending their vices, another exhorting them to the increase of virtues.

He that hath my words, and despiseth them, hath him that shall judge him at the last day.

*4. _Christian._ O Lord my God, thou art to me whatsoever is good. Who am I, that I dare speak unto thee? I am thy poorest servant and a most vile worm, much more poor and contemptible than I can express.

*Yet remember, O Lord, that I am nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing.

Thou alone art good, just, and holy: thou canst do all things, thou fillest all things, only the proud thou sendest empty away.

*Remember thy mercies, and fill my heart with thy grace, thou who willest not that thy works shall be empty.

5. How can I bear myself, unless thou strengthenest me with thy mercy and grace?

Turn not thy face from me; delay not thy visitation; take not away thy comfort, lest my soul become as the thirsty land.

*Lord, teach me to fulfil thy will, teach me to live worthily and humbly in thy sight; for thou art my wisdom, thou dost truly know me, and didst know me before the world was made, and before I was born in the world.