Vanity

322. He who loves superiorities and dignities, or the indulgence of his desires, stands before God, not as a son who is free, but as one of mean condition, and slave of his passions.

323. The scrul that is not humble, the devil most easily deludes, and makes it believe a thousand lies.

324. There are many Christians in our day who have certain virtues, and who do great things, but all of no use to them in the matter of everlasting life, because in them they do not seek that honour and glory which belongs to God alone, but rather the empty satisfaction of their own will.

325. Empty joy in our good works is always attended by a great esteem of them ; out of this comes boasting, and other faults such as we see in the Pharisee in the gospel.

326. Such is the misery of the children of men, that, so far as I can see, the greater part of their good works done in public are either sinful or worthless; or imperfect and defective in the sight of God because men will not detach themselves from self-interest and from human respect.

327. O souls created for, and called unto, a dignity so great ! what are you doing, what is it that detains you ? O miserable blindness of the children of Adam, who in a light so great are blind, and to such an invitation deaf ! While they seek after greatness and honour they are themselves miserable and base, and of such blessings unworthy.