be obedient! Learn to humble yourself, you of earth and clay, and to bow yourself down under the feet of all men. Learn to break your own wishes, and to yield yourself to all subjection. Be fiercely against yourself, and suffer no swelling of pride to dwell in you. But show yourself so humble and very small, that all may be able to walk over you, and to tread you down as the mire of the streets.†
What have you, O vain man, to complain of? What can you answer, foul sinner, to them that upbraid you, you who have so often offended God, and so many times deserved Hell? But My eye spared you, because your soul was precious in My sight; that you might know My love, and ever be thankful for My benefits. Also that you might continually give yourself to true subjection and humility, and endure patiently the contempt which belongs to you. •
