The Seventh Direction

A seventh rule is, Do not promise to yourselves too much beforehand, do not make account of too great things. It is good for us to take hold very low and not think to pitch too high, do not soar too high in your thoughts beforehand, to think, oh if I had this and this, and imagine great matters to yourselves, but be as good Jacob,. You know he was a man that lived a very contented life in a mean condition, (said he) Lord if I may but have clothes to put on, and meat to eat. He looked no higher, he was content with that. So if we would not pitch our thoughts high and think that we might have what others have, so much, and so much, when we meet with disappointments we would not be so much troubled. And so Paul, If we have but meat and drink and clothing, let us be therewith content. He did not soar too high aloft, those that look at high things in the world they meet with disappointments and so they come to be discontent. Be as high as you will in Spiritual meditations, God gives liberty there to any one of you to be as high as you will, above Angels, but for your outward estate God would not have you aim at high things. Do you seek great things (said the Lord to Baruch) seek them not, you shall have your life for a prey. In these times especially, it were a very great evil for any to aim at great things. Seek them not, be willing to take hold low, and to creep low, and if God does raise you, you shall have cause to bless him; but if you should not be raised, there would not be much trouble. One that creeps low cannot fall far, but it is those that are on high whose fall does bruise them most. That is a good rule, Promise not yourselves great matters, neither aim at any great things in the world.

A seventh rule: do not promise yourself too much beforehand, and do not set your expectations too high. It is good to aim low rather than to fix your hopes on great things. Do not let your imagination soar and think: if only I had this and that — imagining wonderful things for yourself. Be like Jacob, who lived a very contented life in humble circumstances. He said simply: "Lord, if I may only have clothing to wear and food to eat." He looked no higher, and he was content with that. If we did not set our expectations so high — imagining we ought to have as much as others — we would not be so troubled when disappointments come. Paul says the same: "If we have food and clothing, let us be content with that." He did not aim too high. Those who fix their eyes on great worldly things meet with disappointments, and disappointment leads to discontent. Be as high as you like in spiritual meditation — God gives you full freedom to soar as high as you will, even above the angels. But in outward things, God does not want you aiming at great things. The Lord said to Baruch: "Are you seeking great things for yourself? Seek them not — you will have your life as a prize." Especially in times like these, it is very harmful to aim at great worldly things. Seek them not. Be willing to aim low and stay low — and if God raises you, you will have cause to bless Him. But if He does not raise you, there will be little cause for pain. A person who stays low cannot fall far — but those who climb high are the ones whose fall injures them most. That is a good rule: do not promise yourself great things, and do not aim at anything great in this world.