CHAPTER XI.
OF THE FEWNESS OF THE LOVERS OF THE CROSS OF JESUS.
ANY love the heavenly kingdom of Jesus, but few care to bear His Cross.
He hath many desirous of consolation, but few of tribulation.
He findeth many companions of His table, but few of His abstinence.
All desire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to endure anything for or with Him.
Many follow Jesus unto the breaking of bread; but few to the drinking of the cup of His passion.
Many reverence His miracles, few follow the ignominy of His cross.
Many love Jesus so long as no adversities befall them.
Many praise and bless Him so long as they receive any consolation from Him.
But if Jesus hide Himself, and leave them but a little while, they fall either into complaining, or into too much dejection of mind.
2. But they who love Jesus for his own sake, and not for some special comfort, bless Him in all tribulation and anguish of heart, as well as in the state of highest comfort.
Yea although He should never be willing to give them comfort, they notwithstanding would ever praise Him, and wish to be always giving thanks.
