Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/493

 are they  that  follow  me  so few? Is it  not  that  the  greater number go  after  gold,  and that, from  the  least  even  to the  greatest,  all  are  devoted to avarice? and, while  they serve mammon,  they  neglect me; for no  one  can  serve  two masters?

Oh, how  disgraceful  is  it  to Christians  to  usurp  my  Name, and be  so  unlike  me  in  conduct! and, as  though  they  had received their  soul  for  nought, to be  so  devoted  to  avarice, which is  a service  of  idols, and boast  in  the  multitude  of their  riches; and,  like  the  nations that  know  not  God  and my providence,  to  be  so  troubled about  many  things,  and solicitous about  the  present only, how  they  may  lay  up for  themselves  treasures  upon earth! O ye sons  of  men, how long  will  you  be  dull  of heart? why do  you  love  vanity, and  seek  after  lying? Do you  not  believe  to  see  the good things  of  the  Lord  in the  land  of  the  living? Is it thus  you  aspire  after  the  eternal happiness  that  I have prepared for  them  that  love and follow  me? Is this  the way that  I have  shewn  to you? Bethink thee  at  least, O man, of  my  poverty,  my wormwood,  and  my  gall.

. O King  of  kings! the whole  world  and  all  that is in  it  is  thine,  and  yet  for our sakes  thou  vouchsafedst to become  destitute  of  all things: truly blessed  is  he who  understands  thee  in  thy poverty and  want! ‘Well hast thou called  the  poor  in  spirit blessed, for  theirs  is  the  kingdom of  heaven. Oh, that  I may  merit  to  become  poor and needy  with  thee,  that by thy  poverty  I may  be  made rich. Give me  to  seek  before all  things  the  kingdom of God  and  his  justice;  but to be  less  careful  for  the  necessaries (least  of  all  the  superfluities) of  the  body  and its life; for  these  are  burdens indeed,  heavy  and  very troublesome to  the  man  that would follow  thy  steps. Oh, that I may  know  how  to be  full  and  to  be  hungry, both to  abound  and  to  suffer need; and learn,  in  whatever state  I am,  to  be  content therewith. For godliness with contentment  is  assuredly great gain.

Blessed indeed  is the  man  who  has  the  Lord for his  God. The earth  is the  Lord’s,  and  the  fulness thereof. What, then,  can he want  who  has  him  who has all  things  for  his  friend? The less  a man  cleaves  to