Whence shall thy patience be crowned, if thou meet with no adversity?
If thou wilt suffer no opposition, how wilt thou be a friend of Christ?
Suffer with Christ and for Christ, if thou desirest to reign with Christ.
6. If thou hadst once perfectly entered into the interior of Jesus, and experienced a little of his burning love, then wouldst thou not care at all for thy own convenience or inconvenience, but wouldst rather rejoice at reproach, because the love of Jesus makes a man despise himself.
A love of Jesus and of truth, and a true internal man, that is free from inordinate affections, can freely turn himself to God, and in spirit elevate himself above himself, and rest in enjoyment.
7. He to whom all things relish as they are, viz. in God, who is the very truth, not as they are said or esteemed to be, he is wise indeed, and taught rather by God than men.
He who knows how to walk internally, and to make little account of external things, is not at a loss for proper places or times for performing devout exercises.
An internal man quickly recollects himself, because he never pours forth his whole self upon outward things.