And truly, unless thou be prevented and drawn by his grace, thou shalt never attain to this, to forsake and cast off all, that thou mayst be united to him alone.
For when the grace of God cometh unto man, then he has power to do all things; and when that retires, he is poor and weak, and as it were, left only to affliction.
Yet in this thou oughtest not to dispair; but to resign thyself to the will of God, and to bear all things that befal thee for the glory of Christ: for after winter followeth summer, and after a storm a great calm.
CHAPTER IX.
Of the want of all comfort.
IT is not hard to despise human comfort, when we have divine.
It is much to be able to want both human and divine comfort; and for the glory of God to be willing to endure desolation of heart.
What great matter is it, if thou be chearful and devout at the coming of grace? This hour is to be wished for of all men.
*He rideth easily enough whom the grace of God carrieth.