Of the Imitation of Christ/Book I/Chapter XVIII
CHAPTER XVIII.
OF THE HOLY FATHERS.
ONSIDER the lively examples of the Holy Fathers, in whom true perfection and religion shone; and thou shalt see how little, and almost nothing, we do now in these days.
Alas! what is our life if it be compared with theirs?
The Saints and friends of Christ served the Lord in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, in labour and weariness, in watchings and fastings, in prayer and holy meditations, in many persecutions and reproaches.
2. O how many and grievous tribulations suffered the Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, and all the rest that endeavoured to follow the steps of Christ! For they hated their lives in this world, that they might keep them unto life eternal.
O how strict and self-renouncing a life led those Holy Fathers in the wilderness! How long and grievous temptations suffered they! How often were they assaulted by the enemy! What frequent and fervent prayers offered they to God! What rigorous abstinence did they use! How great zeal and care had they of their spiritual advancement! How strong a combat had they for overcoming their lusts! What pure and upright intentions kept they towards God!
In the day they laboured, and in the night they attended to continual prayer: although even when they laboured, they ceased not from mental prayer.
3. They spent all their time with profit; every hour seemed but short for the service of God. And by reason of the great sweetness they felt in contemplation, they forgot the necessity for refreshing the body.
They renounced riches, dignities, honours, friends, and kinsfolk; they desired nothing which appertained to the world; they scarce took the necessaries of life; they grudged even the attention necessary for the body.
So they were poor in earthly things, but very rich in grace and virtues.
Outwardly they were destitute, but inwardly they were refreshed with grace and divine consolation.
4. They were strangers to the world, but near and familiar friends to God.
They seemed to themselves as nothing, and to the world despicable; but they were precious and beloved in the eyes of God.
They were grounded in true humility, lived in simple obedience, walked in love and patience: and therefore grew daily in the Spirit, and obtained great grace in the sight of God.
They were given for an example to all; and they should more provoke us to seek after spiritual advancement, than the number of the lukewarm livers should prevail to make us remiss.
5. O how great was the fervour of all religious persons in the beginning of their holy institution!
How great was their devotion to prayer! What ambition to excel others in virtue! What exact discipline then flourished! How great reverence and obedience observed they in all things!
Their footsteps yet remain to testify that they were indeed holy and perfect men; who fighting valiantly trod the world under their feet.
Among us he is greatly accounted of, who is not a transgressor, and who can with patience endure.
6. O the lukewarmness and negligence of our times! that we so quickly decline from the ancient fervour, and are come to that pass, that very sloth and lukewarmness of spirit make our life tedious unto us.
Would to God the desire to grow in virtues did not wholly sleep in thee, who hast often seen the examples of devout persons.