eping? And how if my
fellow-traveller himself turns upon me and robs me? What am I to do? I
will become a friend of Caesar's! in his train none will do me wrong! In
the first place--O the indignities I must endure to win distinction! O
the multitude of hands there will be to rob me! And if I succeed, Caesar
too is but a mortal. While should it come to pass that I offend him,
whither shall I flee from his presence? To the wilderness? And may not
fever await me there? What then is to be done? Cannot a fellow-traveller
be found that is honest and loyal, strong and secure against surprise?
Thus doth the wise man reason, considering that if he would pass through
in safety, he must attach himself unto God.

CXXXVIII

"How understandest thou attach himself to God?"

That what God wills, he should will also; that what God wills not,
neither should he will.

"How then may this come to pass?"

By considering the movements of God, and His administration.

CXXXIX

And dost thou that hast received all from another's hands, repine and
blame the Giver, if He takes anything from thee? Why, who art thou, and
to what end comest thou here? was it not He that made the Light manifest
unto thee, that gave thee fellow-workers, and senses, and the power to
reason? And how brought He thee into the world? Was it not as one
born to die; as one bound to live out his earthly life in some small
tabernacle of flesh; to behold His administration, and for a little
while share with Him in the mighty march of this great Festival
Procession? Now therefore that thou hast beheld, while it was permitted
thee, the Solemn Feast and Assembly, wilt thou not cheerfully depart,
when He summons thee forth, with adoration and thanksgiving for what
thou hast seen and heard?--"Nay, but I would fain have stayed longer at
the Festival."--Ah, so would the mystics fain have the rites prolonged;
so perchance would the crowd at the Great Games fain behold more
wrestlers still. But the Solemn Assembly is over! Come forth, depart
with thanksgiving and modesty--give place to others that must come into
being even as thyself.

CXL

Why art thou thus insatiable? why thus unreasonable? why encumber
the world?--"Aye, but I fain would have my wife and children with me
too."--What, are they then thine, and not His that gave them--His that
made thee? Give up then that which is not thine own: yield it to One who
is better than thou. "Nay, but why did He br