He is gone before bearing his cross, and is dead for thee on the cross; that thou mayst also bear thy cross, and desire to die on the cross with him.
For, if thou diest with him, thou shalt also live with him: and if thou be his companion in pain, thou shalt be partaker with him in glory.
*3. Behold in the cross all doth consist, and all lieth in our dying upon it: for there is no other way to life, and to true inward peace, but the way of the holy cross.
*Go where thou wilt, seek whatsoever thou wilt, thou shalt not find a higher way above, nor a safer way below, than the way of the holy cross.
*Dispose all things according to thy will and judgment; yet thou shalt ever find, that thou must suffer somewhat, either willingly, or against thy will, and so thou shalt ever find the cross.
For either thou shalt feel pain in thy body, or in thy soul tribulation of spirit.
4. Sometimes thou shalt be tried of God, sometimes thou shalt be exercised by thy neighbour; and often thou shalt be irksome to thyself.
Neither canst thou be delivered by any other remedy or comfort; but so long as it pleaseth God, thou must bear it.
For God will have thee learn to suffer tribulation; and to subject thyself wholly to him.
No man hath so cordial a feeling of the passion of Christ, as he who hath suffered the like himself.