Of the Imitation of Christ/Book III/Chapter X
CHAPTER X.
THAT IT IS SWEET TO DESPISE THE WORLD AND SERVE GOD.
OW I will speak again, Lord, and will not be silent; I will say in the ears of my God, my Lord, and my King, who is on high: "how great is the abundance of Thy goodness, O Lord, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee."
But what art Thou to those who love Thee? what to those who serve Thee with their whole heart?
Truly unspeakable is the sweetness of contemplating Thee, which Thou bestowest on them that love Thee.
In this especially Thou hast shewed me the sweetness of Thy love: that when I was not, Thou madest me; when I went far astray from Thee, Thou broughtest me back again, that I might serve Thee; and that Thou hast commanded me to love Thee.
2. O fountain of love unceasing, what shall I say concerning Thee?
How can I forget Thee, Who hast vouchsafed to remember me, even after I had wasted away and perished?
Thou hast shewed mercy to Thy servant beyond all expectation: and hast exhibited favour and loving-kindness beyond all desert.
What return shall I make to Thee for this grace? For it is not granted to all to forsake all, to renounce the world, and to undertake a life of religious seclusion.
Is it any great thing that I should serve Thee, Whom the whole creation is bound to serve?
It ought not to seem much to me, to serve Thee; but rather this doth appear much wonderful to me; that Thou vouchsafest to receive into Thy service one so poor and unworthy, and to make him one with Thy beloved servants.
3. Behold, all things are Thine which I have, and whereby I serve Thee.
And yet contrariwise, Thou rather servest me than I Thee.
Behold, heaven and earth which Thou hast created for the service of man, are ready at hand, and do daily perform all that Thou hast commanded.
And this is little: Thou hast moreover also appointed angels to minister to man.
But that which excelleth this all is, that Thou Thyself hast vouchsafed to serve man, and hast promised that Thou wouldst give Thyself unto him.
4. What shall I give Thee for all these thousands of benefits? I would I could serve Thee all the days of my life.
I would I were able, at least for one day, to do Thee some worthy service.
Truly Thou art worthy of all service, of all honour, and everlasting praise.
Truly Thou art my Lord, and I Thy poor servant, who am bound to serve Thee with all my might, neither ought I ever to be weary of praising Thee.
And this I wish to do, this I desire: and whatsoever is wanting unto me, do Thou, I beseech Thee, vouchsafe to supply.
5. It is a great honour, and a great glory, to serve Thee, and to despise all things for Thee.
For great grace shall be given to those who shall have willingly subjected themselves to Thy most holy service.
They who for Thy love shall have renounced all carnal delights, shall find the sweetest consolations of the Holy Ghost.
They shall attain greater freedom of mind, who for Thy Name's sake enter into the narrow way, and have left off all worldly care.
6. O sweet and delightful service of God, by which a man is made truly free and holy!
O sacred state of religious service, which makes a man equal to the angels, pleasing to God, terrible to devils, and worthy to be commended of all the faithful!
O welcome service and ever to be desired, in which we are rewarded with the greatest good, and attain to joy which shall endlessly remain with us!