Of the Imitation of Christ/Book I/Chapter XXV
CHAPTER XXV.
OF THE ZEALOUS AMENDMENT OF OUR WHOLE LIFE.
E watchful and diligent in the service of God; and often bethink thyself wherefore thou camest hither. Was it not that thou mightest live to God, and become a spiritual man?
Be fervent then in going forward, for shortly thou shalt receive the reward of thy labours; there shall not be then any more fear or sorrow in thy coasts.
Labour but a little now, and thou shalt find great rest, yea, perpetual joy.
If thou continuest faithful and fervent in thy work, no doubt but that God will be faithful and liberal in rewarding thee.
Thou oughtest to have good hope of getting the victory; but thou must not be secure, lest thou wax either negligent or proud.
2. When one that was in anxiety of mind, often wavering between fear and hope, did once, being oppressed with grief, humbly prostrate himself in a church before the altar, in prayer, and said within himself, if I knew that I should yet persevere! he presently heard within him an answer from God, which said. If thou didst know it, what wouldst thou do? Do now what thou wouldst do then, and thou shalt be secure.
And being herewith comforted and strengthened, he committed himself wholly to the will of God, and his anxious wavering ceased.
Neither had he the mind to search curiously any farther, to know what should befall him; but rather laboured to understand what was the perfect and acceptable will of God for the beginning and accomplishing of every good work.
3. "Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."
One thing there is that draweth many back from spiritual progress, and the diligent amendment of their lives; the fear of the difficulty, or the labour of the combat.
But they especially exceed in all virtue, who make the greatest effort to overcome those things which are most grievous and contrary unto them.
For there a man improveth most and obtaineth greatest grace, where he most overcometh himself and mortifieth himself in spirit.
4. But all men have not equally much to overcome and mortify.
Yet he that is zealous and diligent, though he have more passions, shall profit more than another that is of a more temperate disposition, if he be less fervent in the pursuit of all virtue.
Two things especially further our amendment, To withdraw ourselves violently from those vices to which our nature is most inclined, and to labour earnestly for that good which we most lack.
Be careful also diligently to avoid those things in thyself, which do commonly displease thee in others.
5. Gather some profit to thy soul wheresoever thou art; so that if thou seest any good examples, stir up thyself to the imitation thereof.
But if thou observe anything worthy of reproof; beware thou do not the same. And if at any time thou hast done it, labour quickly to amend thyself.
As thine eye observeth others, so art thou also noted again by others.
O how sweet and pleasant a thing it is, to see brethren fervent and devout, well-mannered and well-disciplined!
And on the contrary how sad and grievous a thing it is to see them live in a dissolute and disordered state, not applying themselves to that for which they are called!
How hurtful a thing is it, when they neglect the good purposes of their vocation, and busy themselves in that which concerns them not!
6. Be mindful of the profession which thou hast made, and have always before thine eyes the remembrance of thy Saviour crucified.
Thou hast cause to be ashamed in looking upon the life of Jesus Christ, seeing thou dost not conform thyself more unto Him, though thou hast been a long time in the way of God.
A Religious man that exerciseth himself devoutly in the holy life and passion of our Lord, shall there abundantly find whatsoever is necessary and profitable; neither shall he need to seek any better thing out of Jesus.
O if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts, how quickly and fully should we be taught!
7. A fervently Religious man taketh and beareth well all that is commanded.
But he that is negligent and lukewarm hath tribulation, and on all sides is afflicted; for he is void of inward consolation, and is forbidden to seek outward comforts.
A Religious man who liveth not according to discipline, lieth open to great mischief, to the ruin of his soul.
He that seeketh liberty and ease, shall ever live in disquiet; for one thing or other must displease him.
8. O that we had nothing to do but always with our whole heart and mouth to praise the Lord God!
O that thou mightest never have need to eat, or drink, or sleep; but always to be praising God, and employing thyself in spiritual exercises. Thou shouldst then be more happy than thou art now, when for so many necessities thou art constrained to serve thy body.
Would God there were not these necessities, but only the spiritual refreshments of the soul, which, alas, we taste too seldom!
9. When a man cometh to that estate, that he seeketh not his comfort from any creature, then doth he begin perfectly to relish God. Then shall he be contented with whatsoever doth befall.
Then shall he neither rejoice in having much, nor be sorrowful for having little; but commit himself to God entirely and confidently, Who shall be unto him all in all; to Whom nothing doth perish nor die, but all things do live unto Him, and serve Him without delay.
10. Remember always thy end, and that time lost never returns. Without care and diligence thou shalt never get virtue.
If thou begin to wax lukewarm, it will be evil with thee.
But if thou give thyself to fervour of spirit thou shalt find much peace, and feel less labour, by reason of the assistance of God's grace.
The fervent and diligent man is prepared for all things.
It is harder work to resist vices and passions, than to toil in bodily labours.
He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little falleth into greater.
Thou wilt always rejoice in the evening, if thou have spent the day profitably.
Be watchful over thyself, stir up thyself, admonish thyself, and whatever becomes of others neglect not thyself.
The more thou resistest thyself, the greater shall be thy spiritual profiting.
