Drink of the Chalice of the Lord lovingly, if thou desirest to be his friend, and to have part with him.
Leave consolations to God, to do with them as best pleaseth him.
But set thou thyself to bear tribulations, and account them the greatest consolations: for the sufferings of this life bear no proportion with the glory to come, although thou alone couldst suffer them all.
11. When thou shalt arrive thus far, that tribulation becomes sweet and savory to thee for the love of Christ: then think that it is well with thee, for thou hast found a paradise upon earth.
As long as suffering seems grievous to thee, and thou seekest to fly from if, so long will it be ill with thee, and the tribulation from which thou fliest will every where follow thee.
12. If thou set thyself to what thou oughtest; that is, to suffer and to die [to thyself], it will quickly be better with thee, and thou shalt find peace.
Although thou shouldst have been wrapped up to the third heaven with St. Paul, thou art not thereby secured that thou shalt suffer no adversity. I (said Jesus) will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name. Acts ix.
To suffer, therefore, is what waits for thee, if thou wilt love Jesus, and constantly serve him.