Cast me not off for ever, nor blot me out of the book of life; and what tribulation soever befalleth me shall not hurt me.
Chap. XVIII.
That temporal miseries are to be borne with patience after the example of Jesus Christ.
1. Son, I came down from heaven for thy salvation, I took upon me thy miseries, not of necessity, but moved thereto by charity, that thou mightest learn patience, and mightest bear without repining the miseries of this life:
For from the hour of my birth, till my expiring on the cross, I was never without suffering.
I underwent a great want of temporal things; I frequently heard many complaints against me; I meekly bore with confusions and reproaches.
For my benefits I received ingratitude; for my miracles, blasphemies; and for my heavenly doctrine, reproaches.
2. Lord, because thou wast patient in thy life-time, in this chiefly fulfilling the commandment of thy Father, it is fitting that I a wretched sinner should, according to thy will, take all with patience; and as long as thou pleasest, support the burden of this corruptible life, in order to my salvation.
For though this present life he burthensome, yet it is become through thy grace, meritorious; and by the help of thy example, and the footsteps of thy saints, more supportable to the weak, and more lightsome.