Of the Imitation of Christ/Book III/Chapter VIII
CHAPTER VIII.
OF A MEAN CONCEIT OF OURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
HALL I speak unto my Lord, who am but dust and ashes? If I esteem myself to be anything more, behold, Thou standest against me, and my iniquities bear true witness, and I cannot contradict it.
But if I abase myself, and reduce myself to nothing, and shrink from all self-esteem, and grind myself to the dust which I am, Thy grace will be favourable to me, and Thy light near unto my heart; and all self-esteem shall be swallowed up in the valley of my nothingness, and perish for ever.
There Thou shewest Thyself unto me, what I am, what I have been, and whither I am come; for I am nothing, and I knew it not.
If I be left to myself, behold, I become nothing but mere weakness; but if Thou for an instant look upon me, I am forthwith made strong, and am filled with new joy.
And a great marvel it is, that I am so suddenly lifted up, and so graciously embraced by Thee, who of mine own weight am always sinking downward.
2. Thy love is the cause hereof, freely preventing me, and relieving me in so many necessities, guarding me also from pressing dangers, and snatching me from evils out of number.
For indeed by loving myself amiss, I lost myself; and by seeking Thee alone, and purely loving Thee, I have found both myself and Thee, and by that love have more deeply reduced myself to nothing.
Because Thou, dearest Lord, dealest with me above all desert, and above all that I dare hope or ask.
3. Blessed be Thou, my God; for although I be unworthy of any benefits, yet Thy royal bounty and infinite goodness never cease to do good even to the ungrateful, and to those who are turned away far from Thee.
Turn Thou us unto Thee, that we may be thankful, humble, and devout; for Thou art our salvation, our courage, and our strength.
