Of the Imitation of Christ/Book III/Chapter XI
CHAPTER XI.
THAT THE LONGINGS AND DESIRES OF OUR HEARTS ARE TO BE EXAMINED AND MODERATED.
Y son, there are many things thou hast not yet well learned, which thou must learn.
What are these, O Lord?
That thou frame thy desires wholly according to My good pleasure; and that thou be not a lover of thyself, but an earnest follower of My will.
Various longings and desires oftentimes inflame thee, and drive thee forwards with vehemence; but do thou consider whether thou be not moved rather for thine own advantage, than for My honour.
If I be the cause, thou wilt be well content howsoever I shall ordain; but if there lurk in thee any self-seeking, behold, this it is that hindereth thee and weigheth thee down.
2. Beware therefore thou lean not too much upon any desire, conceived without asking My counsel, lest perhaps afterwards it repent thee, or thou be displeased with that which at first pleased thee, and which thou desiredst as the best.
For not every affection which seems good is immediately to be followed; nor is every contrary affection at the first to be avoided.
It is sometimes expedient to use restraint even in good desires, lest through unseasonable effort thou art distracted of mind; lest by thy want of self-government thou beget a scandal unto others; or again, being thwarted by others and resisted, thou become suddenly confounded, and so fall.
3. Sometimes, however, thou must use violence, and resist manfully thine appetite, not regarding what the flesh would or would not; but rather taking pains that even perforce it may be made subject to the Spirit.
And so long ought it to be chastened and to be forced to remain under servitude, until it be prepared for every thing, and learn to be content with a little, and to be pleased with plain and simple things, and not to murmur against any inconvenience.
