The cross therefore is always ready, and every where waits for thee.
*Thou canst not escape it, whithersoever thou runnest; for wheresoever thou goest, thou carriest thyself with thee, and shalt ever find thyself.
*Both above and below, without and within, which way soever thou dost turn thee, every where thou shalt find the cross; and every where thou must have patience, if thou wilt enjoy an everlasting crown.
*5. If thou bear the cross willingly, it will bear thee.
If thou bear it unwillingly thou increasest thy load, and yet thou must bear it.
If thou cast away one cross, without doubt thou shalt find another, and that perhaps a more heavy one.
6. Thinkest thou to escape that which no man could ever avoid? Which of the saints in the world was without crosses and tribulations?
Verily Jesus Christ our Lord was never one hour without suffering so long as he lived. Christ, saith he, ought to suffer, and rise again from the dead, and so enter into his glory.
And dost thou seek any other way than this royal way, which is the way of the holy cross?
The whole life of Christ was a cross and a martyrdom; and dost thou seek rest and joy?