_How a person in heaviness ought to give up himself into the hands of God._ _Christian._ LORD God, holy Father, be thou blessed both now and for evermore; because as thou willest, so it is done, and what thou dost is good. Let thy servant rejoice in thee, not in himself, nor in any thing else; for thou alone art the true gladness, thou art my hope and my crown, thou art my joy and my honour, O Lord. What hath thy servant, but what he hath received from thee, even without any merit of his? Thine is all that thou hast given, and whatsoever thou hast made. I am poor, and in labour from my youth: and sometimes my soul is sorrowful even unto tears; sometimes also it is troubled, by reason of the evils which hang over my head. 2. I long after the joy of peace, I earnestly crave the peace of thy children, that are led by thee in the light of thy comfort. If thou givest peace, if thou pourest into my heart holy joy; the soul of thy servant shall be full of gladness, and shall become devout in thy praise: But if thou withdrawest thyself, he will not be able to run the way of thy commandments, but rather he will bow his knees, and smite his breast, for it is not with him as it was heretofore, when thy candle shone upon his head, and he was protected under the shadow of thy wings, from the temptations which violently assaulted him. *O righteous Father, and ever to be praised, the hour is come that thy servant is to be tried. Behold, dear Father, meet it is that in this hour thy servant suffer something for thy sake. O Father, ever more be honoured, the hour is come; that for a short time thy servant should outwardly be oppressed, but inwardly live with thee. That he should be a little despised, humbled, and made abject in the sight of men, and worn down with heaviness; that he may rise again with the morning of the new light, and be glorified in heaven. Holy Father, thou hast so appointed it; and this is fulfilled which thyself hast commanded. 3. It is a favour to thy friend, that he may suffer and be afflicted in the world for the love of thee, how often soever, and by whomsoever, thou permittest it to fall upon him. Nothing cometh to pass on earth without thy counsel, without thy providence, or without a cause. It is good for me, Lord, that thou hast afflicted me, that I may learn thy righteous judgment, and cast away all haughtiness of heart, and presumption. *It is profitable to me, that shame hath covered my face, that I may rather seek to thee for comfort than to men. 4. I have learned also here to dread thy unsearchable judgments, who afflictest the just with the wicked, but not without equity and justice. I give thee thanks, for that thou hast not spared my sins, but hast worn me away, inflicting sorrows, and sending griefs within and without.