4. Behold! eating, drinking, cloathing, and other necessaries appertaining to the support of the body are burthensome to a fervent spirit.
Grant that I may use such things with moderation, and not be entangled with an inordinate affection to them.
It is not lawful to cast them all away, for nature must be supported; but to require superfluities, and such things as are more delightful, thy holy law forbids; for otherwise the flesh would grow insolent against the spirit.
In all this, I beseech thee, let thy hand govern and direct me, that I may no way exceed.
Chap. XXVII.
That self-love chiefly keeps a person
back from the Sovereign Good.
1. My Son, thou must give all for all, and be nothing of thy own.
Know that the love of thyself is more hurtful to thee than any thing in the world.
Every thing, according to the love and inclination which thou hast to it, cleaveth to thee more or less.
If thy love be pure, simple, and well ordered, thou shalt not be a captive to any thing.