Of the Imitation of Christ/Book III/Chapter XX
CHAPTER XX.
OF THE ACKNOWLEDGING OF OUR OWN INFIRMITIES; AND OF THE MISERIES OF THIS LIFE.
WILL acknowledge my sin, and I will confess mine infirmities unto Thee, O Lord.
Oftentimes a small matter it is that makes me sad and dejected.
I resolve to act with courage, but when even small temptations come, I am at once in a great strait.
It is sometimes a very trifle, whence a great temptation arises.
And whilst I think myself safe, and when I least expect it, I sometimes find myself almost overcome by a slight breath.
2. Behold, therefore, Lord, my low estate, and my frailty which is in every way known unto Thee.
Have mercy on me, and deliver me out of the mire, that I may not stick fast therein, and may not remain utterly cast down for ever.
This is that which strikes me down oftentimes, and confounds me in Thy sight, that I am so subject to fall, and so weak in resisting my passions.
And although I do not altogether consent, yet their continued assaults are grievous unto me; and it is very exceedingly irksome to live thus daily in conflict.
Hereby doth my weakness become known unto me, in that hateful fancies do always much more easily enter than depart.
3. Most mighty God of Israel, Thou zealous lover of faithful souls! O that Thou wouldst consider the labour and sorrow of Thy servant, and assist him in all things whatsoever he undertaketh.
Strengthen me with heavenly courage, lest the old man, the miserable flesh, not as yet fully subject to the spirit, prevail and get the upper hand. Against this it will be needful for me to fight, as long as I breathe in this miserable life.
Alas, what a life is this, where tribulation and miseries are never wanting; where all is full of snares and enemies!
For when one tribulation or temptation goeth, another cometh; yea and while the first conflict is yet lasting, many others come unexpected.
4. And how can a life be loved that hath so many embitterments, and is subject to so many calamities and miseries?
How can it be called a life, that begetteth so many deaths and plagues?
And yet it is the object of men's love, and many delight therein.
The world is oftentimes blamed for being deceitful and vain, and yet men do not easily part with it, because the desires of the flesh bear so great a sway.
But some things draw us to love the world, others to contemn it. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life draw us to the love of the world; but the pains and miseries that justly follow them cause a hatred and loathing of the world.
5. But, alas, the fondness for vicious pleasures overcometh the mind of him who is given to the world; and he esteemeth it a delight to be ever under thorns, because he hath neither seen nor tasted the sweetness of God, and the inward pleasantness of virtue.
But they who perfectly contemn the world, and study to live to God under holy discipline, these are not ignorant of the divine sweetness promised to those who truly forsake the world. They also very clearly see how grievously the world erreth, and how it is in many ways deceived.