ter, and the servant greater than his Lord? Since, then, I have suffered in the flesh, arm thyself too with the same thought, and rather he glad than sorry if thou art deemed worthy to suffer reproach for my Name. This must the disciples of my school doubtless learn and understand before all things, that to do valiantly, and to suffer evil, is the Christian’s part, and a mark of my friendship. For if suffering were an evil, I had not chosen it, nor had I presented the chalice of my Passion to my Mother, nor to any who were most dear to me. Surely I knew how to refuse the evil, and to choose the good; but, for the joy set before me, I chose the Cross, despising the shame. Suffering, therefore, is not an evil; but never to suffer evil is the worst lot of all: to be with me beneath the Cross is the best.
For whom the Lord loves he chastises, and scourges every son whom he receives.[1] But if thou wouldst be without chastisement, of which all are made partakers, see if thou art not a bastard, and not a true-born son. Now all chastisement for the present indeed seems not to bring with it joy, but sorrow; but afterwards it will yield to them that are exercised by it the most peaceable fruit of justice.
Man. It is my whole wish, O Lord, to be, and be reckoned among thy sons; and, therefore, I refuse not to be corrected by my Father. And this will be my consolation, if thou spare not to afflict me with sorrow; only do not correct me in thy anger. I desire to suffer with thee, O Christ Jesus! let me now share of thy sufferings, that hereafter I may share thy consolations. For I know that if we suffer with thee, we shall also reign with thee. [2]
§ 10. The sovereign charity of Christ to be most admired and imitated.
Christ. But in and above all this, consider especially the love with which I have desired and consummated the work of your salvation. So great was this love, that the many waters of grief and affliction could not overwhelm it.[3] My Father, for your sakes, spared not even his own and only Son, nor did I spare myself. Yes, I loved you to the end, and, as a good Shepherd, laid down my life for my sheep: but greater love than this has no man, that he lay down his life for his friends.[4]
Man. Nay, Lord, thou hadst greater, in laying it down even for thy enemies, For while we were still thy enemies, we were reconciled
