little; they eat, but are not satisfied; they drink, and are not refreshed; and they that receive wages, put them into a bag with holes. But thou, my son, be more cautious, and take care lest thou too do nothing in doing much, and lose all the fruit of thy labour. Why dost thou spend thy gold for that which is not bread, and thy silver for that which dost not satisfy? How long dost thou halt between two sides? If I am the Lord thy God, follow me with all thy heart. If thou preferrest or lovest any other thing before me, why dost thou glory in my name and title? Why dost thou usurp my badge? If thou enjoyest servitude, to serve me is to reign; if thou seekest glory, it is great glory to follow the Lord: them that follow me will I glorify, but they that despise me shall be despised. If thou desirest reward, ask it of me alone; and from whom canst thou expect a greater? For eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things I have prepared for them that love me. Oh, that thou wouldst but look oftener to this recompense, and then no toil could possibly seem hard to thee! For the hope of reward is the solace of labour; and behold, I will be thy exceeding great reward.
Man. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive praise, and glory, and honour from every creature; and why not from me also, who am created to thy own image, and bought by thee with so great a price, that in my heart and my body I might glorify thee, my God? Who is there that plants a tree or a vine, and eats not of its fruit? But thou, O Lord, hast formed me, and placed me on this earth. Thou hast transplanted this vine, that is, my soul, out of Egypt, and placed me in this station N., vocation N., and office N., that I am in. Far be it from me when thou expectest of me grapes, that I should bring forth only wild grapes.
Oh, that my soul might be as a watered garden, prolific in good fruits, that is, in solid virtues. Away with showy flowers, that please only the eye, that is, false virtues, and works that are good only in appearance, which will wither away quickly as grass. Be rooted out every spurious plant, planted not by the Father of truth, but by the father of vanity and pride.
Oh, would that I might be like a tree planted near the running waters, which renders thee its fruit in due season; lest if thou come, and find upon it no fruit of true to be cut down and cast into the fire.
