forming our lives to the cross and sufferings of our Holy Redeemer. "It is a faithful saying: if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him; for if we live after the flesh, we shall die; but if we through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live." Day after day will more fully convince us of the straitness of that path of which they who have gone before have testified, who fought the good fight of faith, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of the world: and we must, as they did, strive to enter in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth to life, and few there be that find it.

We must become as little children, humbling ourselves, and resigning ourselves into the hands of our Redeemer; for, says he, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh

not all that he hath, he cannot be my dis

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ciple. As we were all born in sin, so we must ascend out of the spirit of the world, for hereunto were we called; because "he also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps." The soul must be reclaimed from earthly mindedness, and renewed in divine love; that as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." If we look around to the various objects without, they will gain us nothing. what shall it profit us if we shall gain the whole world and lose our own soul? or what shall we give in exchange for our soul? (k) We must be truly converted, or we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. We must be changed from the earthly to the heavenly, or else how can we expect, "that we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with

(k) Mark, 8. 36, 37.

For

the redeemed in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so to be ever with the Lord?

Look then to the centre of the soul, for he who speaks with the still small voice is there, (being the most inward,) if we would but regard it! That we may not be of the number of those, who have received the mark of the beast, that were to be cast into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, but of those who drink of that river which is pure and clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb. Where there will be no need of candle, neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever. (1)

This is that eternal and spiritual land of peace which Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, with all the glorified spirits inhabit, and where we also shall gain an entrance and

(1) Rev. 22. 1—5.

be partakers of their bliss, if we go on from conquering to conquer, till faith be swallowed up of victory. Come then all that are athirst, and take of the water of life freely, for he that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will, says the Almighty, be his God, and he shall be my son. (m)

(m) Rev. 21. 7.

D

Chapter II.

IF the soul now begins to see a greater necessity for a complete death and a perfect conformity to the Cross of Christ, let not the hindering things of time intercept its way, but be willing to count all things loss for the excellency of him, of whom the Apostle said, I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. (n) That we may enter upon a strict enquiry into our heart, and search it as with the candle of the Lord, that every thing that is impure may be done away, purging out all the old leaven, that we may be made a new lump. (0) Seeing there is no safety in

(n) Phil. 3. 8.

(0) 1 Cor. 5. 7.