But this is a
bitter thing, a sour sauce, a sharp sauce; this sauce maketh a stomach:
for when I am injured or wronged, or am in other tribulation, then I have
a great desire for him, to feed upon him, to be delivered from trouble,
and to attain to quietness and joy.
There is a learned man which hath a saying which is most true: he saith,
_Plus crux quam tranquillitas invitat ad Christum_; "The cross and
persecution bring us sooner to Christ than prosperity and wealth."
Therefore St. Peter saith, _Humiliamini sub potenti manu Dei_; "Humble
yourselves under the mighty hand of God." Look, what God layeth upon
you, bear it willingly and humbly. But you will say, "I pray you, tell
me what is my cross?" Answer: This that God layeth upon you, that same
is your cross; not that which you of your own wilfulness lay upon
yourselves: as there was a certain sect which were called Flagellarii,
which scourged themselves with whips till the blood ran from their
bodies; this was a cross, but it was not the cross of God. No, no: he
laid not that upon them, they did it of their own head. Therefore look,
what God layeth upon me, that same is my cross, which I ought to take in
good part; as when I fall in poverty, or in miseries, I ought to be
content withal; when my neighbour doth me wrong, taketh away my goods,
robbeth me of my good name and fame, I shall bear it willingly,
considering that it is God's cross, and that nothing can be done against
me without his permission.
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