CHAPTER XI.
OF OBTAINING PEACE, AND OF ZEAL FOR GROWTH IN GRACE.
E might enjoy much peace, if we would not busy ourselves with the words and deeds of others, and things which appertain nothing to our charge.
How can he abide long in peace, who thrusteth himself into the cares of others, who seeketh occasions abroad, who little or seldom cometh to himself?
Blessed are the single-hearted; for they shall enjoy much peace.
2. Why were some of the Saints so perfect and contemplative? Because they laboured to mortify themselves wholly to all earthly desires; and therefore they could with their whole heart fix themselves upon God, and be free for holy retirement.
We are too much led by our passions, and too solicitous for transitory things.
We also seldom perfectly overcome any one vice, and are not inflamed with a fervent desire to grow better every day; therefore we remain cold and lukewarm.
3. If we were perfectly intent upon our own hearts, and not entangled with outward things, then should we be able to relish divine things, and to have some experience of heavenly contemplation.
The greatest, and indeed the whole impediment is that we are not free from passions and lusts, neither
