Chapter XXX. An Exhortation to Repentance, that being first humbled, they may be afterwards exalted

Spare, I beseech you, Brethren, spare your Souls, spare the Blood which was shed for you. Take heed of the horrid danger, decline the fire which is prepared. Let there be found at length not a mock-profession of Perfection, let the vertue of Piety be exhibited, together with the semblance of it; let there not be an empty form of a single life devoid of the truth. How should Chastity but be in danger amidst Delights, Humility among Riches, Piety in the middle of Business, Truth in much speaking, Charity in this wicked World? Fly out of the middle of Balylon, fly and save your souls. Fly to the Cities of Refuge, where you may do Pennance for what's past, and obtain Grace for the present, and confidently expect Glory hereafter. Let not the consciousness of your sins retard you; for where they have abounded, Grace is wont to superabound: neither let the austerity of Pennance deter you. For the sufferings of this Life are not worthy the past fault which is remitted, nor the present comfort of Grace which is infused, nor the future Glory which is promised us. In fine, there is no bitterness so great which the Prophetical Meal does not sweeten, which the Tree of Life does not make favoury. If you do not believe words, believe works, and acquiesce in the examples of many. Sinners from all parts run to Pennance, and such as are delicate hoth by nature and custom, make light of all exterior rigor, that they may lenify their exasperated Consciences. Nothing is impossible to them that believe, nothing difficult to them that love, nothing sharp to the meek, nor nothing hard to the humble, to whom Grace gives help, and the devotion of obeying lenifies the command. How long do you walk in great and wonderful things that are above you! It is a great and wonderful thing indeed to be a Minister of Christ, and a Dispencer of the Mysteries of God. The Order of Peacemakers is far above you, unless perhaps omitting the degrees mentioned above, you are rather minded to leap than to ascend. Would to God, notwithstanding whosoever so enters, would, if it were possible, minister as faithfully, as he intruded himself confidently. But it is hard, and perhaps impossible, that out of the bitter root of Ambition, the sweet fruit of Charity should proceed. I say, if you will hear me, yea not I, but our Lord says; When thou shalt be invited to ae Wedding, sit down in the lowest place; for he who exalts himself, shall be humbled; and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.