this was to love them truly. Oh, that thou too wouldst learn that the world, with its concupiscence, passes away; that thy life also flies like a shadow, and like a vapour that appears for a little time. But what wilt thou wish to have done at the last? What will finally remain to thee of all thy joys, but the cross, tribulation, and vexation of spirit! Oh, how will they then bewail their deception, when sorrow shall seize upon the end of their joy, who now take pleasure in the worst of things, and count it delightful to be under briers! For in the end of a man is the disclosing of his works; and the affliction of his last hour makes him forget great delights. Oh, that thou couldst taste the bitterness which terminates their pleasures and their joys! Then wouldst thou exclaim, Death is in the pot, death is in the pleasures of the flesh; and wouldst not eat of that which, when tasted, brings death; and wouldst not wish to drink of a cup, whose wine goes in pleasantly now, but hereafter will bite like a snake, and spread its poison like a basilisk; when all the sinners of the earth shall drink the dregs of my cup; for fire and brimstone, and storms of wind, shall be the portion of their cup at the last.
Now, if a physician should order thee when sick to abstain from certain meats, however grateful to thy palate, thou wouldst doubtless obey him out of love to thy life and health. How much more shouldst thou obey me, for the sake of thy soul, and of thy eternal salvation? How long, then, like a child, wilt thou love childishness, and long, like a fool, for the things that are hurtful to thee?
Man. Blessed be thou, O Lord, for ever, for so warning me, that I too may not reach forth my hands to the cup of Babylon. No, henceforward my soul refuses to have pleasure in it. But I will be mindful of thee, O Jesus, and shall not want for delight; for delights are in thy right hand, and it is thy delight to be with the sons of men.
Let others, then, take the timbrel and harp, live luxuriously, be delicately clothed, be wanton on their couches, and leave every where tokens of joy; but I will delight in the Lord. My sole and principal pleasure shall be to know no other pleasure for thy sake; that I may taste how sweet thou art, O Lord my God. The gift to understand this wilt thou not give, save to those who are weaned from the milk, and taken from the breasts of earthly pleasure; nor wilt thou give manna from heaven, till the
