All desire to rejoice with him: few are willing to suffer for him.
Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread; but few to the drinking the chalice of his passion.
Many reverence his miracles; but few follow the ignominy of his cross.
Many love Jesus as long as they meet with no adversity; many praise him and bless him as long as they receive consolations from him.
But if Jesus hide himself and leave them for a little while; they either fall into complaints, or excessive dejection.
2. But they that love Jesus for Jesus's sake, and not for any comfort of their own, bless him no less in tribulation and anguish of heart, than in the greatest consolation.
And if he should never give them his comfort, yet would they always praise him, and always give him thanks.
3. O! how much is the pure love of Jesus able to do, when it is not mixed with any self-interest or self-love!
Are not all those to be called hirelings, who are always seeking consolations!