Of the Imitation of Christ/Book III/Chapter XXII
CHAPTER XXII.
OF THE REMEMBRANCE OF GOD'S MANIFOLD BENEFITS.
PEN, O Lord, my heart in Thy law, and teach me to walk in Thy commandments.
Grant me to understand Thy will, and with great reverence and diligent consideration to remember Thy benefits, as well in general as in particular, that henceforward I may be able worthily to give Thee thanks.
But I know and confess, that I am not able, even in the least, to give Thee due thanks for the favours which Thou bestowest upon me.
I am less than the least of all Thy benefits: and when I consider Thy excellency, the greatness thereof maketh my spirit to faint.
2. All that we have in soul and body, and whatsoever we possess outwardly or inwardly, naturally or supernaturally, are Thy benefits, and do speak Thee bountiful and good, from Whom we have received all good things.
Although one have received more, another less, all notwithstanding are Thine, and without Thee even the least blessing cannot be had.
He that hath received the greatest cannot glory of his own desert, nor extol himself above others, nor insult over the lesser. For he is the greatest and the best who ascribeth least unto himself, and who in rendering thanks is the most humble and devout.
And he that esteemeth himself viler than all men, and judgeth himself most unworthy, is fittest to receive greater blessings.
But he that hath received fewer, ought not to be out of heart, nor to take it grievously, nor to envy them that are enriched with greater store; but rather to turn his mind to Thee and praise Thy goodness, for that Thou bestowest Thy gifts so bountifully, so freely, and so willingly, without respect of persons.
All things proceed from Thee, and therefore in all things Thou art to be praised.
Thou knowest what is fit to be given to every one. And why this man hath less and that more, it is not for us to judge, but for Thee Who dost exactly know every one's deserts.
4. Wherefore, O Lord God, I even esteem it a great mercy, not to have much of that which outwardly and in the opinion of men seems worthy of glory and applause.
He who considereth the poverty and unworthiness of himself, should be so far from conceiving grief or sadness, or from being cast down thereat, that he rather should take great comfort, and be glad.
For Thou, O God, hast chosen the poor and humble and the despised of this world for Thyself, to be Thy friends and servants.
Witnesses are Thine apostles themselves, whom Thou hast made princes over all the earth.
And yet they lived in the world without complaint, so humble and simple, without all malice and deceit, that they even rejoiced to suffer reproach for Thy name; and what the world abhorred, they embraced with great affection.
5. When therefore a man loveth Thee and acknowledgeth Thy benefits, nothing ought so to rejoice him as Thy will toward him.
And herewith he ought to be so contented and comforted, that he would as willingly be the least, as another would wish to be the greatest.
He would too be as contented in the last place as in the first; as willing to be a despised castaway, of no name or character, as to be preferred in honour before others, and to be greater in the world than they.
For Thy will and the love of Thy glory ought to be preferred before all things, and to comfort him more, and to please him better, than all the benefits which either he hath received or may receive.