And surely, if he takes hold of the grace that
God therein offereth him, his tribulation is wholesome. And it
shall be full comforting to remember that God by this tribulation
calleth him and biddeth him come home, out of the country of sin
that he was bred and brought up so long in, and come into the land
of behest that floweth milk and honey. And then if he follow this
calling, as many a one full well doth, joyful shall his sorrow be.
And glad shall he be to change his life, to leave his wanton
pleasures and do penance for his sins, bestowing his time upon some
better business.
But some men, now, when this calling of God causeth them to be sad,
they are loth to leave their sinful lusts that hang in their
hearts, especially if they have any kind of living such that they
must needs leave it off or fall deeper into sin, or if they have
done so many great wrongs that they have many amends to make if
they follow God, which must diminish much their money. Then are
these folk, alas, woefully bewrapped, for God pricketh them of his
great goodness still. And the grief of this great pang pincheth
them at the heart, and of wickedness they wry away. And from this
tribulation they turn to their flesh for help, and labour to shake
off this thought. And then they mend their pillow and lay their
head softer and essay to sleep.
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