Nature is often deceived, but grace hath her trust in God, that she may not be deceived.
Chap. XXXII.
Of the denying ourselves,
and renouncing all cupidity.
1. Son, thou canst not possess perfect liberty, unless thou wholly deny thyself.
All self-seekers and self-lovers are bound in fetters, full of desires, full of cares, unsettled, and seeking always their own ease, and not the things of Jesus Christ, but oftentimes devising and framing that which shall not stand;
For all shall come to nothing that proceeds not from God.
Take this short and perfect word, Forsake all and thou shall find all, leave thy desires and thou shall find rest.
Consider this well, and when thou shalt put it in practice thou shalt understand all things.
2. Lord, this is not the work of one day, nor children's sport; yea, in this short sentence is included the whole perfection of the religious.