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39. When I shall cleave unto Thee with all my being, then shall
I in nothing have pain and labour; and my life shall be a real life,
being wholly full of Thee. But now since he whom Thou fillest is the
one Thou liftest up, I am a burden to myself, as not being full of
Thee. Joys of sorrow contend with sorrows of joy; and on which side
the victory may be I know not. Woe is me! Lord, have pity on me.
My evil sorrows contend with my good joys; and on which side the
victory may be I know not. Woe is me! Lord, have pity on me. Woe
is me! Lo, I hide not my wounds; Thou art the Physician, I the
sick; Thou merciful, I miserable. Is not the life of man upon
earth a temptation?' Who is he that wishes for vexations and
difficulties? Thou commandest them to be endured, not to be loved.
For no man loves what he endures, though he may love to endure. For
notwithstanding he rejoices to endure, he would rather there were
naught for him to endure.' In adversity, I desire prosperity; in
prosperity, I fear adversity. What middle place, then, is there
between these, where human life is not a temptation? Woe unto the
prosperity of this world, once and again, from fear of misfortune and
a corruption of joy! Woe unto the adversities of this world, once and
again, and for the third time, from the desire of prosperity; and
because adversity itself is a hard thing, and makes shipwreck of
endurance! Is not the life of man upon earth a temptation, and that
without intermission?
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