thy blessings, so also there should be none that is wanting in thy recollection and praise. Oh, that I may do what thou hast taught me, that my whole day may pass as thou directest! Oh, that I may so attend to others, as never to forget thee; and make the love of thy glory, and of the heavenly Jerusalem, the foundation of all my joy!
§ 9. A guide, or spiritual director.
Christ. But beware, moreover, of being wise in thy own conceit, for so thou wilt easily fall. Woe to him that is alone, for when he falls, he has none to lift him up. There is none so wise, as not to need sometimes the counsel of one wiser than he. A wise man shall hear, and shall be the wiser;[1] but he that hates reproof is foolish.
Oh, how many are there whom self-love deceives! How many are blind in their own cause who are too sharpsighted in other men’s! Behold David: who was ever holier or dearer to me than he? Yet he afterwards fell, and committed a grievous sin; but acknowledged it not (though in the case of another he knew how to pass a sentence severe enough upon the spoiler of the lamb) until he was plainly reproved by my servant Nathan. My servant Moses, again, though I spoke with him face to face, was nevertheless willing to listen with no less profit to the counsel of Jethro, his father-in-law. So was Ananias heard with humility by Paul, Philip by the eunuch of Queen Candace, and Peter by Cornelius the centurion.
Have thou too, therefore, a faithful guide, one not ignorant of the artifices of Satan, whom thou mayest consult in cases of difficulty, to whom thou mayest discover the secrets of thy heart, and whose direction thou mayest follow with safety. But should he speak to thee things true and hard, rather than pleasant and soft, hate him not. Better are the wounds of a friend, than the deceitful kisses of an enemy.[2] Beware of imitating those who love iniquity, and hate their own souls, and so, having itching ears, seek for themselves soft teachers, and turn away their hearing from the truth. Beware, I say, of believing those who speak to thee nothing but what is pleasant; who say. Peace, and there is no peace. Does not the physician destroy the patient whom he spares? So do they deceive thee, who call thee happy when thou art not.
Be cautious, therefore, to whom thou entrustest the care of thy soul. If thou
