CHAPTER VII.

_Of the love of Jesus._

BLESSED is he that understandeth what it is to love _Jesus_, and to despise himself for _Jesus_.

Thou oughtest to leave what thou hast loved hitherto, for the sake of Jesus; for he will be loved alone.

The love of things created is deceitful and inconstant: the love of Jesus is faithful and constant.

*He that cleaveth unto a creature, shall fall when it falls: he that embraceth Jesus, shall stand firmly for ever.

Love him, and keep him for thy friend, who, when all go away, will not forsake thee.

*Thou must one day be left of all whether thou wilt or no.

2. Keep close to Jesus, both in life and death, and commit thyself unto his faithfulness, who, when all fail, can alone help thee.

Thy beloved will not admit of a rival, but will have thy heart alone, and sit like a king in his own throne.

*Whatsoever affection thou reposest in men out of Jesus, is all no better than lost.

*Trust not, nor lean upon a broken reed; for all flesh is grass, and all the glory thereof shall wither away.

3. Thou shalt quickly be deceived if thou regardest only the outward appearance of men.

If in them thou seekest comfort and profit, thou shalt often feel loss.

If thou seekest Jesus in all things, thou shalt surely find Jesus.

*If thou seekest thyself, thou shalt also find thyself, but to thy own destruction.

For if a man doth not seek Jesus, he doth more hurt to himself than the world and all his adversaries could do.