CHAPTER XXII.

_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.