3. Thus are the humility and lowliness of Christ a true ladder of ascension for a penitent soul; by means of which we ascend into the heart of God, as of a loving Father, and calmly repose in his paternal affection. It is the _human_ nature of Christ with which we begin our spiritual life, and rising up higher and higher, arrive at last at his _divine_ nature. It is then that we contemplate in Christ the heart of our Father in heaven. It is then that we behold him as the sublime, the everlasting, essential, and infinite Good; we behold him as the immeasurable omnipotence, as the unfathomable mercy, the unsearchable wisdom, the purest holiness, the unspotted and endless righteousness, the most perfect goodness, the noblest beauty, the most perfect graciousness, and, at last, as the most joyful salvation. These points, as they chiefly make up Christian contemplation, so they are explained in Chapters XXVI-XXXIII. But because no one can ever arrive at this state without prayer, hence the ensuing ten Chapters (XXXIV-XLIII), treat upon the nature of _prayer_, and the exercise of divine _praise_. And since this life, grounded on maxims of sound and unfeigned religion, will soon be attended with _crosses_ and _tribulations_, there follow fifteen Chapters (XLIV-LVIII), wherein are considered the _cross_ of Christians, and the virtue of _patience_, the practice of which is thereby exceedingly promoted. To all this, something is added of the nature and conquest of those deep _spiritual temptations_, with which Satan harasses those that adhere to the Lord, and who endeavor to be faithful to the end. God grant that we may all be true followers of Christ, not ashamed of his holy life; but follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, and be led at last to the living fountains of waters, where the Lord will wipe away all tears from our eyes! Amen. JOHN ARNDT, General Superintendent in the Principality of Lüneburg. Chapter I. Jesus Christ, The Son Of God, Is Given To Us By Our Heavenly Father As Our Help Against The Damnable And Deadly Poison Of Original Sin, And The Pernicious Fruits Thereof, As Well As A Protector Against All The Calamities And Evils Both Of The Body And The Soul. _With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation._—ISA. 12:3.