*It ought not to seem much unto me to serve thee: but this rather seemeth much and marvellous unto me, that thou vouchsafest to receive into thy service one so poor and unworthy, and to join him with thy beloved servants. *3. Behold, all is thine which I have, and whereby I serve thee. *And yet, contrary-wise, thou rather servest me, than I thee. *Behold heaven and earth, which thou hast created for the service of man, are ready at hand, and all daily perform whatsoever thou dost command. *And this is little: thou hast also appointed the angels to the service of man. *But that which excelleth all this is, that thou thyself hast vouchsafed to serve man, and hast promised to give thyself unto him. 4. What shall I give thee for all these thousands of benefits? Would I could serve thee all the days of my life! Would I were able at least for one day, to do thee worthy service! Verily, thou art worthy of all service, of all honour, and everlasting praise. *Verily, thou art my Lord, and I thy poor servant, that am bound to serve thee with all my might; neither ought I ever to be weary of praising thee. *This I wish to do, this I desire: and whatsoever is wanting unto me, vouchsafe, I beseech thee to supply. CHAPTER X. _That the desires of our hearts are to be examined._ _Christ._ SON, thou must still learn many things, which thou hast not yet well learned. _Christian._ What are those, Lord? _Christ._ That thou frame thy desires wholly according to my pleasure: and be not a lover of thyself, but a zealous follower of my will. Thy desires often inflame thee, and that vehemently; but consider, whether thou art moved rather for my honour, or for thine own profit. If I be the cause, thou wilt be well content, howsoever I shall ordain: But if there lurk in thee any self-seeking, behold this is it that hindereth thee, and weigheth thee down. 2. Beware therefore thou lean not too much upon any desire conceived without asking my counsel; lest afterward it repent thee, and thou dislikest what before pleased thee, and which thou zealously desiredst as the best. For every affection that seemeth good, is not presently to be followed: nor every affection that at first seemeth evil to be avoided. It is expedient to use a restraint even in good desires and endeavours, lest by importunity of desire thou incur distraction of mind, and by want of self-government be a scandal to others, or being gainsayed by others, thou be suddenly troubled and fall. But thou oughtest to use violence, and resist manfully thy sensual appetites, and respect not, what the flesh would or would not; but rather to labour, that even perforce it be subject to the spirit. *Thou dust, learn to obey. *Thou earth and clay, learn to humble thyself, to bow down beneath the feet of all men. Learn to break thine own will, and to yield thyself to all subjection. 3. Be zealous against thyself, and suffer not pride to live in thee.