I am the teacher of truth, the searcher of the heart, the discerner of the thoughts, the promoter of good actions, distributing to every one as I judge meet. CHAPTER XXXII. _Of putting our trust in God when we are evil spoken of._ _Christ._ SON, stand firm, and put thy trust in me: for what are words but words? They fly through the air, but hurt not a stone. If thou be guilty, see that thou be willing to amend: if thou be innocent, suffer this willingly for God. It is but a small matter to suffer a few words, if thou hast not yet the courage to endure hard stripes. Give diligent ear to my words, and thou shalt little regard ten thousand words spoken by men. *2. _Christian._ O Lord God, thou just judge, strong and patient, thou who knowest the frailty and wickedness of man, be thou my strength, and my whole trust, for my own conscience sufficeth me not. Thou knowest that which I know not, and therefore in every reproof, I ought to have humbled myself, and to have borne meekly. Vouchsafe mercifully to pardon me as often as I have failed herein, and give me grace to bear it better hereafter. For thy abundant mercy is more available to me for the obtaining of pardon, than my fancied justice for my defence, since I cannot see to the bottom of my conscience. Although I know nothing by myself, yet I cannot hereby justify myself: for without thy mercy no man living shall be justified in thy sight. CHAPTER XXXIII. _Of eternity, and the shortness of this life._ _Christian._ O MOST blessed mansion of the heavenly city! O most clear day of eternity, which night obscureth not, but the highest truth ever enlighteneth! A day of continual joy, of perpetual quietness, and never changing into a contrary state! O that that day would once appear, and all these temporal things were at an end! To the saints above it shineth with everlasting brightness; but to those that are pilgrims upon earth, it appeareth only afar off, and through a glass. O good Jesus, when shall I stand to behold thee! When shall I contemplate the glory of thy kingdom! When wilt thou be unto me all in all! O when shall I be with thee in thy kingdom, which thou hast prepared for thy beloved from all eternity! 2. Comfort my banishment, assuage my sorrow; for my whole desire sigheth after thee. My God, be not far from me, depart not in thy wrath from thy servant. Cast forth thy lightning and disperse them; shoot out thine arrows, and consume all the imaginations of the enemy. Gather in, call home my senses unto thee, make me forget all the things of this world: Grant me to cast away speedily the imaginations of wickedness. *Succour me, O thou, the everlasting truth, that no vanity may move me. *Come, heavenly sweetness, and let all impurity fly from thee. Pardon me as often as I think upon any thing besides thee in prayer.