CHAP. II. How a Man may, despising all other things, adhere to, and in∣tend Christ alone.

NOw whosoever Desires, and makes it his Business to undertake and enter upon this State or kind of Life; it is needful that he, as it were, shutting his Eyes and Senses, do not concern or trouble himself with, or be careful and sollicitous about any thing whatsoever; but totally reject and renounce all things as impertinent, hurtful, and pernicious; and in the next place, that he wholly retire within himself, and in that Retire∣ment, entertain no other Object, but Jesus Christ alone, and him Crucified, and so press on through him, into him, i. e. through Man into God, through the Wounds of his Humanity, into the in∣most recess of his Divinity; and there, without any further disputing, readily and securely commit himself and all his Page  5Concerns to his indefatigable Providence, according to that of St. Peter, Casting all your care upon him,* who can do all. And again, Be sollicitous for nothing.* And that of the Psalmist, Cast thy care upon the Lord,* and he shall sustain thee: And again, But it is good for me to,* cleave unto God: And again, I have set the Lord always before me:* And with the Spouse in the Canticles,* I have found him whom my Soul loveth; because,* as Wisdom saith, All good things come together with it. This is that hid∣den Heavenly Treasure, and that precious Pearl which cannot be purcha∣sed,* but by the parting with all that we have, which being pre∣ferred before all, in the Strength of the Spirit is to be sought for with humble Con∣fidence, most instant Endeavours, and quiet Silence, even to the loss of all outward Conveniencies and Advantages of Praise or Honour, in the Strength of the Spirit. Page  6For what Advantage will it be to one that hath dedicated himself to God, if he gain the whole World, but at the same time suffer loss in his Soul? Or of what profit is the highest Profession of Religion, or a seeming Holy Conversa∣tion, without living in the Spirit of Truth and Humility, wherein Christ dwells, through Faith wrought and form∣ed by Love; wherefore we are told that the King∣dom of God is within us:* which is no other than Jesus Christ him∣self.