CHAPTER X.

_That the desires of our hearts are to be examined._

_Christ._ SON, thou must still learn many things, which thou hast not yet well learned.

_Christian._ What are those, Lord?

_Christ._ That thou frame thy desires wholly according to my pleasure: and be not a lover of thyself, but a zealous follower of my will.

Thy desires often inflame thee, and that vehemently; but consider, whether thou art moved rather for my honour, or for thine own profit.

If I be the cause, thou wilt be well content, howsoever I shall ordain:

But if there lurk in thee any self-seeking, behold this is it that hindereth thee, and weigheth thee down.

2. Beware therefore thou lean not too much upon any desire conceived without asking my counsel; lest afterward it repent thee, and thou dislikest what before pleased thee, and which thou zealously desiredst as the best.

For every affection that seemeth good, is not presently to be followed: nor every affection that at first seemeth evil to be avoided.

It is expedient to use a restraint even in good desires and endeavours, lest by importunity of desire thou incur distraction of mind, and by want of self-government be a scandal to others, or being gainsayed by others, thou be suddenly troubled and fall.

But thou oughtest to use violence, and resist manfully thy sensual appetites, and respect not, what the flesh would or would not; but rather to labour, that even perforce it be subject to the spirit.

*Thou dust, learn to obey.

*Thou earth and clay, learn to humble thyself, to bow down beneath the feet of all men.

Learn to break thine own will, and to yield thyself to all subjection.

3. Be zealous against thyself, and suffer not pride to live in thee.

*Shew thyself so lowly, such a little child, that every one may go over thee, and tread thee as dirt under their feet.

*Vain man, what hast thou to complain of?

*Vile sinner, what canst thou answer to them who reproach thee, who hast so often offended God, and so many times deserved hell?

But mine eye hath spared thee, because thy soul was precious in my sight:

That thou mightest know my love and always remain thankful for my benefits.

And that thou mightest continually study true subjection and humility, and patiently endure to be despiseth.