Of the Imitation of Christ/Book II/Chapter IV
CHAPTER IV.
OF PURITY OF MIND AND SIMPLE INTENTION.
Y two wings a man is lifted up from things earthly, namely, by Purity and Simplicity.
Simplicity ought to be in our affections; purity in our intention. Purity doth apprehend and taste God: simplicity doth tend towards Him.
No good action will hinder thee, if thy heart be free from inordinate affection.
If thou intend and seek nothing else but the will of God and the good of thy neighbour, thou shalt thoroughly enjoy inward liberty.
If thy heart were sincere and upright, then every creature would be unto thee a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine.
There is no creature so small and abject, that it representeth not the goodness of God.
2. If thou wert inwardly good and pure, then wouldst thou be able to see and understand all things well.
A pure heart penetrateth heaven and hell.
Such as every one is inwardly, so he judgeth outwardly.
If there be joy in the world, surely a man of a pure heart possesseth it.
And if there be any where tribulation and affliction, an evil conscience best knoweth it.
As iron put into the fire loseth its rust, and becometh red hot, so he that wholly turneth himself unto God, puts off all slothfulness, and is transformed into a new man.
3. When a man begins to grow lukewarm, then he is afraid of a little labour, and willingly receives comfort from external things.
But when he once begins to overcome himself perfectly, and to walk manfully in the way of God; then he esteemeth those things to be light, which before seemed grievous.