Of the Imitation of Christ/Book III/Chapter XXV
CHAPTER XXV.
WHEREIN FIRM PEACE OF HEART AND TRUE SPIRITUAL PROGRESS CONSISTETH.
Y son, I have said: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you."
Peace is what all desire, but all do not care for the things that pertain unto true peace.
My peace is with the humble and gentle of heart; in much patience shall thy peace be.
If thou wilt hear Me and follow My voice, thou shalt be able to enjoy much peace.
What then shall I do. Lord?
In every matter look to thyself, what thou doest and sayest; and direct thy whole attention into this, to please Me alone, and neither to desire nor to seek any thing besides Me.
But of the words and deeds of others judge nothing rashly: neither do thou entangle thyself with things not entrusted unto thee, that thus thou mayest be little or seldom disturbed.
2. But never to feel any disturbance at all, nor to suffer any trouble of mind or body, belongs not to this life, but to the state of eternal rest.
Think not therefore that thou hast found true peace, if thou feel no heaviness; nor that all is well, if thou art vexed with no adversary; nor that all is perfect, if all things are done according to thy desire.
Do not thou think highly of thyself, nor account thyself to be specially beloved, if thou be in a state of great devotion and sweetness; for it is not by these things that a true lover of virtue is known, nor doth the spiritual progress and perfection of a man consist in these things.
3. Wherein, then, O Lord, doth it consist?
In giving thyself up with all thy heart to the divine will, not seeking thine own interest, either in great matters or in small, either in time or in eternity.
So shalt thou keep one and the same countenance, always giving thanks both in prosperity and adversity, weighing all things equally.
Be thou so full of courage, and so patient in hope, that when inward comfort is withdrawn, thou mayest prepare thy heart to suffer greater things; and do not justify thyself, as though thou oughtest not to suffer so great afflictions, but justify me in whatever I appoint, and praise My holy name without ceasing.
Then thou walkest in the true way of peace, and thou shaft have a sure hope to see My face again with great delight.
Now, if thou attain to the full contempt of thyself, know that thou shalt then enjoy abundance of peace, as great as this thy state of sojourning is capable of.