CHAPTER IV.

_That we ought to live in truth and humility before God._

_Christ._ SON, walk before me in truth, and ever seek me in simplicity of heart.

He that walketh before me in truth, shall be defended from evil; and the truth shall deliver him from seducers, and from the detractions of the wicked.

If the truth have made thee free, thou shalt be free indeed.

_Christian._ Lord, it is true. According as thou saidst, so I beseech thee let it be with me; let thy truth teach me, and keep me and bring me safe to an happy end.

Let it deliver me from all evil affection and inordinate love: and I shall walk with thee in great freedom of heart.

2. _Christ._ I will teach thee those things that are right and pleasing in my sight.

Think of thy sins with great displeasure and grief, and never esteem thyself any thing for thy good works.

Thou art in very deed a sinner, thou art subject to, and encumbered with many passions.

Of thyself thou always tendest to nothing: thou art quickly cast down, quickly overcome, quickly troubled, quickly dissolved.

Thou hast nothing wherein thou canst glory, but many things for which thou oughtest to despise thyself; for thou art much weaker than thou art able to comprehend.

3. Make no account therefore of any thing that thou dost.

Let nothing seem great, nothing precious and wonderful; let nothing seem worthy of estimation, nothing high, nothing truly praise-worthy and desirable, but that which is everlasting.

Let the eternal truth above all things please thee. Let thy own great unworthiness always displease thee.

Fear nothing, fly nothing so much as thy vices and sins.

Some walk not sincerely in my sight: but will know my secrets, and understand the high things of God, neglecting themselves and their own salvation.

These often, because I resist them, fall into great temptations and sins.

4. Fear the judgments of God; dread the wrath of the Almighty. But discuss not the works of the highest. Search thine own iniquities, how much thou hast offended, and how much good thou hast neglected.

Some place their religion only in books, some in images, some in outward forms and ceremonies.

Some have me in their mouths, but little in their hearts.

There are others that being illuminated in their understandings, and purged in their affection, continually pant after things eternal; these perceive what the spirit of truth speaketh in them.

Because it teacheth them to despise earthly, and love heavenly things; to neglect the world, and all the day and night to desire heaven.