Admonitions Tending To Things Internal

If you have but once perfectly entered into the secrets of the Lord Jesus, and tasted a little of His ardent love, then would you not regard your own convenience or inconvenience, but rather would rejoice at slanders, if they should be cast upon you; for the love of Jesus makes a man despise himself. If you refuse outward comfort, you will be able to contemplate the things of Heaven, and often to receive internal joy. God protects the humble and delivers him; the humble He loves and comforts; unto the humble man He inclines Himself; unto the humble He gives great grace; and after his humiliation He raises him to glory. If you were inwardly good and pure, then would you be able to see and understand all things well without impediment. If you attend wholly unto God and yourself, you will be but little moved with whatsoever you see abroad. To walk inwardly with God, and not to be kept abroad by any outward affection, is the state of a spiritual man. When therefore spiritual comfort is given you from God, receive it with thankfulness; but understand that it is the gift of God, not any desert of yours.