Thomas ‘a Kempis

Jesus hath now many lovers of his heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of his cross.  He hath many desirous of comfort, but few of tribulation.  He findeth many companions of this table, but few of his abstinence.  All desire to rejoice with him, few are willing to endure anything for him, or with him.  Many follow Jesus unto the breaking of the bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of his passion.  Many reverence his miracles, few follow the ignominy of his cross.  Many love Jesus as long as adversities happen not.  Many praise and bless him, so long as they receive any consolations from him.  But if Jesus hide himself, and leave them but a little while, they fall either into complaining, or into too much dejection of mind.  But they who love Jesus for the sake of Jesus, and not for some special comfort of their own, bless him in all tribulation and anguish of heart, as well as in the state of highest comfort.  And although he should never be willing to give them comfort, they notwithstanding would ever praise him, and wish to be always giving thanks.  O, how powerful is the pure love of Jesus, which is mixed with no self-interest, or self-love!