HERE BEGINNETH THE SECOND CHAPTER
A short stirring to meekness, and to the work of this
book.
LOOK up now, weak wretch, and see what thou art. What art thou, and what hast
thou merited, thus to be called of our Lord? What weary wretched heart, and
sleeping in sloth, is that, the which is not wakened with the draught of this
love and the voice of this calling! Beware, thou wretch, in this while with
thine enemy; and hold thee never the holier nor the better, for the worthiness
of this calling and for the singular form of living that thou art in. But the
more wretched and cursed, unless thou do that in thee is goodly, by grace and
by counsel, to live after thy calling. And insomuch thou shouldest be more meek and loving to thy ghostly spouse, that He that is the Almighty God,
King of Kings and Lord of Lords, would meek Him so low unto thee, and amongst
all the flock of His sheep so graciously would choose thee to be one of His
specials, and sithen set thee in the place of pasture, where thou mayest be fed
with the sweetness of His love, in earnest of thine heritage the Kingdom of
Heaven.
Do on then, I pray thee, fast. Look now
forwards and let be backwards; and see what thee faileth, and not what thou
hast, for that is the readiest getting and keeping of meekness. All thy life
now behoveth altogether to stand in desire, if thou shalt profit in degree of
perfection. This desire behoveth altogether be wrought in thy will, by the hand
of Almighty God and thy consent. But one thing I tell thee. He is a jealous
lover and suffereth no fellowship, and Him list not work in thy will but if He
be only with thee by Himself. He asketh none help, but only thyself.
He wills, thou do but look on Him and let Him alone. And keep thou the windows
and the door, for flies and enemies assailing. And if thou be willing to do
this, thee needeth but meekly press upon him with prayer, and soon will He help
thee. Press on then, let see how thou bearest thee. He is full ready, and doth
but abideth thee. But what shalt thou do, and how shalt thou press?