Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/497

 gotten as  one  that  is  dead from the  heart. Learn thou from my  example  not  to  make flesh thy  arm,  and  not  to  trust in princes,  nor  in  the  children of men,  in  whom  there  is  no salvation.

I was reckoned  also  with the wicked  and  with  robbers; and yet  I humbled  myself,  and became obedient  even  to  the death of  the  Cross; and  wilt thou refuse  to  be  humbled, or to  obey  in  the  easiest  matter, when  I,  in  a matter  so difficult,  was  so  obedient?

I hung naked  upon  the Cross, and  what  Blood  was left in  me,  I poured  it  all  out profusely for  thy  salvation; and wilt  thou  set  thy  heart upon riches? or will  it  pain thee to  dole  out  to  me in poor man, so  much  as  a draught of water  or  a trifling  coin?

Look at  my  virgin  Flesh,  all cruelly torn  with  so  many stripes and  wounds,  and  thou wilt blush  to  pamper  thy  own with luxuries  and  pleasures.

I, when  I was  scourged, crowned with  thorns,  pierced with nails,  fastened  to  the Cross, overwhelmed  with  insults, and  condemned  to  a most shameful death,  nevertheless forgot all  my  pains  amid all my distresses,  nor  once  opened my mouth  to  utter  a word of complaint  or  excuse,  or threatening  or  malediction, against my  tormentors; but was led  as  a sheep  to  the slaughter, and  as  a lamb  be fore  his  shearer  is  dumb,  I opened  not  my  mouth; and how frequently  are  you driven with  little  or  no  occasion to  be  so  violently agitated by  anger  and  impatience!

See, too,  what  it  was  they gave me  to  drink  in  my  thirst, and understand  how  unworthy it  is  for  thee  to  pamper thy flesh  with  luxuries,  feast sumptuously, drink  the  best of wines,  and  be  enslaved  to thy  appetite  and  to  pleasure.

And now  against  this  hatred and  envy  stands  my  measureless charity,  with  which  I prayed  even  for  my  enemies, and refused  not  to  die  for  the very authors  of  my  death.

. Oh,  how  bountiful art thou  to  forgive! Oh, how great  is  the  multitude of thy  sweetness,  O Lord! Oh, how  far  are  thy  thoughts above our  thoughts! Oh, how is  thy  mercy  confirmed, even upon  the  wicked! Wonderful event! they cry,  Crucify; thou  criest,  Forgive. Oh, never  was  heard  such  a word  of  benediction  as  this!

Nor was  I so  overcome by  weariness  or  faintness as  to  cease  from  accomplishing all  things  in  my  love and zeal  for  thy  salvation; remember, then,  too,  to  fight  the good fight; finish  thy  course, and persevere  to  the  end,  if thou  wouldst  be  saved,  and obtain the  crown  of  justice that is  laid  up  for  thee.