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Rh the building rise. And according as we dig out the earth of our own wretchedness, so much the more will the Divine Architect bring the most solid stones to advance the building.

Never imagine, beloved, that you can ever dig deep enough; but, on the contrary, believe this of yourself, that if any thing in a creature could be infinite, it would be your vileness.

With this knowledge, practically carried out, we possess all good; without it, we should be little better than nothing, though we had done all the works of the Saints, and were ourselves continually occupied with God.

O blessed knowledge, which makes us happy on earth and glorious in Heaven! O light, which rises out of darkness, and brightly illuminates the soul! O unspeakable joy, which shines amidst our impurities! O nothingness, which, when known, puts all things in our power!

I should never tire of telling you this:—if you will praise God, accuse yourself, and desire to be accused by others. Humble yourself with all, and bend beneath all, if you would exalt Him in yourself and yourself in Him. If you would find Him, exalt not yourself, for if you do, He will fly from you.

Abase yourself, abase yourself to the utmost, and He will seek you and embrace you; arid the more you humble yourself in your own sight,