Thou art becoming like God. For He appoints the prize not for him, but for thee. So much the greater is the reward. Take away the contestant and thou takest away the opportunity for the crowns. But there is no need for thee to practice this.
Life is full of things that exercise thee, and make thee strong.
As if the soul be strong, it will endure all things easily, and nothing will be able to sink it, but will lead it into tranquil havens. To which may we all attain, by the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father together with the Holy Ghost, be glory, power, honor, now and for ever and world without end.