“He that followeth me walketh not in darkness, saith the Lord.” These are the words of Christ, by which we are admonished that we ought to imitate his life and manners, if we would be truly enlightened and delivered from all blindness of heart. Let therefore our chief endeavor be to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ. What will it avail thee to dispute sublimely of the Trinity, if thou be void of humility, and art thereby displeasing to the Trinity? Truly, sublime words do not make a man holy and just; but a virtuous life maketh him dear to God. I had rather feel compunction, than know the definition thereof. If thou didst know the whole Bible, and the sayings of all the philosophers, by heart, what would all that profit thee without the love of God? Vanity of vanities! all is vanity, but to love God and serve him only. It is therefore vanity to seek after perishing riches. It is also vanity to seek honors. It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh, and to labor for that for which thou must afterward suffer grievous punishment. It is vanity to wish to live long, and to be careless to live well. It is vanity to mind this present life, and not those things which are to come. It is vanity to set thy love on that which speedily passeth away, and not to hasten thither, where everlasting joys remain. All men naturally desire to know; but what availeth knowledge without the fear of God? Surely an humble husbandman that serveth God is better than a proud philosopher, that, neglecting himself, studies the course of the heavens. He that knoweth himself is vile in his own eyes, and is not pleased with the praises of men. If I understood all things in the world, and had not charity, what would that help me in the sight of God, who will judge me according to my deeds. There are many things, to know which doth little profit the soul. And he is very unwise, that minds any other things than those that tend to the welfare of his soul. Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a pure conscience giveth confidence toward God. The more thou knowest, and the better thou understandest, the more grievously shalt thou be judged, unless thy life be the more holy. Be not therefore lifted up; but rather let the knowledge given thee make thee afraid. If thou thinkest that thou knowest much: yet there are many more things which thou knowest not. Be not over wise, but rather acknowledge thine own ignorance. The highest and most profitable lesson is, the true knowledge of ourselves. It is great wisdom to esteem ourselves nothing, and to think always well and highly of others. We are all frail, but remember, none more frail than thyself. [_December 9._] It is good that we be sometimes contradicted; and that men think ill of us, and this, although we do not intend well. For then we more diligently seek God for our inward witness, when outwardly we are contemned by men.