Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/487

 wouldst grant  to  me,  most loving Jesus,  that  as  I have hitherto borne  the  image  of the  earthly,  I may  bear  henceforward the  image  of  the  heavenly, and  seek  to  be  conformed to  thee,  and  not  to this  wicked  world! Oh, that I may follow  thee  whithersoever thou  goest! for whosoever says  that  he  abides  in thee  ought  himself  also  to walk  as  thou  walkest. But how shall  I be  able; for thou hast  rejoiced  as  a giant to run  the  way,  and  who  can keep pace  with  thy  steps?

Strive at  least  to follow  afar  off,  and  to  press towards the  prize  of  thy  high vocation that  is  destined  for thee. Behold with  what  industry the  children  of  this world seek  riches,  wealth, and honours;  with  what  patience they  strive  to  conform themselves to  the  world,  to please  men; how  anxious  they are by  their  services  to  catch at the  recompense  of  princes and the  favour  of  the  powerful! With what  cheerfulness and daring  do  soldiers  expose their lives  under  the  eye  of their  leader,  and  fearlessly rush into  every  kind  of  danger! Yet what  is  the  reward of them  all,  great  as  have been their  labours  and  toils? What but  a morsel  of  earth, wind, and  smoke,  vanity  and affliction of  spirit? For all things pass  away  like  a shadow, and  there  is  nothing under the  sun  that  continues in the  same  state. Surely thou canst  serve  and  please me with  less  toil,  gain  heaven and eternity  with  less  pains, and wilt  thou  neglect  it?

Why, then,  O children  of men! why do  you  love  vanity and seek  after  lying? Know you that  the  Lord  has  made wonderful his  Holy  One; I mean,  he  has  distinguished myself by  so  many  endowments and  virtues,  that  my life  might  be  a mirror  and example to  you; therefore follow me.

Why do  you  walk  the  difficult ways  of  the  world,  or  of the  flesh? Behold, destruction and  unhappiness  are  in the  ways  of  sinners; but  my ways  are  fair  ways,  my  yoke too is  sweet,  and  my  burden light. It is  I that  make  the crooked ways  straight,  and the rough  ways  plain. The wandering I bring  back,  the toil-worn I refresh,  and  those that persevere  I crown.

Therefore, if  any  man  minister to  me,  let  him  follow me. It is  a great  glory  to follow  the  Lord; for  where I am, there  also  shall  my minister  be; and  he  shall possess the  kingdom  that  has been prepared  for  him  from