14. Know for certain that thou oughtest to lead a dying life. And the more any man dieth to himself, so much the more doth he begin to live unto God.
No man is fit to comprehend things heavenly, unless he submit himself to the bearing of adversities for Christ's sake.
Nothing is more acceptable to God, nothing more wholesome to thee in this world, than that thou suffer cheerfully for Christ.
And if thou couldst choose, thou oughtest rather to wish to suffer adversities for Christ, than to be refreshed with many consolations; because thou wouldst thus be more like unto Christ, and more conformable to all the saints.
For our worthiness and the growth of our spiritual estate consisteth not in many sweetnesses and comforts; but rather in the patient enduring of great afflictions and tribulations.
15. Indeed, if there had been any better thing, and more profitable to man's salvation, than suffering, surely Christ would have shewed it by word and example.
For both the disciples that followed Him, and also all who desire to follow Him, He plainly exhorteth to the bearing of the cross, and saith, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
So that when we have thoroughly read and searched all, let this be the final conclusion. "That through much tribulation we must enter unto the kingdom of God."
