Of the Imitation of Christ/Book III/Chapter XXXI
CHAPTER XXXI.
OF NEGLECT OF ALL CREATURES, IN ORDER TO FIND OUT THE CREATOR.
LORD, I stand much in need of yet greater grace, if I shall attain to that state, where neither man nor any creature shall be a hindrance unto me.
For as long as anything holds me back, I cannot freely take my flight to Thee.
He desired to fly freely who said, "Oh! that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee away and be at rest!"
What is more quiet than the single eye? and who more free than he that desireth nothing upon earth?
A man ought therefore to mount above all creatures, and perfectly to renounce himself, and to see that Thou, the Creator of all things, hast nothing amongst creatures like unto Thyself.
Unless a man be set free from all creatures, he cannot entirely attend unto divine things.
And therefore are there so few contemplative, for that few can wholly withdraw themselves from things perishing.
2. To obtain this, there is need of much grace, to elevate the soul, and carry it away above itself.
And unless a man be uplifted in spirit, and be freed from all creatures, and wholly united unto God, whatsoever he knoweth, and whatsoever he hath, is of no account.
A long while shall he be little, and lie grovelling below, whoever he be that esteemeth any thing great, but the one only infinite eternal Good.
And whatsoever is not God, is nothing, and ought to be accounted as nothing.
There is great difference between the wisdom of a devout man, and the knowledge of a learned man.
Far more noble is that learning which floweth from above, from the divine influence, than that which is painfully gotten by the wit of man.
3. There are many that desire contemplation, but they practise not those things that are needful thereunto.
A great hindrance it is, that men rest in signs and in the things of sense, and take little heed to mortify themselves.
I know not what it is, by what spirit we are led, nor what we pretend, we that seem to be called spiritual, that we take so much pains, and are so full of anxiety about transitory things, and so rarely think of our own inward concerns with full recollection of mind.
4. Alas, presently, after a slight recollection, we rush again into outward things, and weigh not our works with diligent examination.
We heed not where our affections lie, nor bewail the impurity that is in our actions.
For "all flesh had corrupted his way," and therefore did the great deluge ensue.
Since, then, the inward affection is much corrupted, the action thence proceeding must needs be corrupted also, a proof of the absence of all inward vigour.
From a pure heart proceedeth the fruit of a good life.
5. We ask how much man has done: but from what principle he acts is not so diligently considered.
We enquire whether he be courageous, rich, handsome, skilful, a good writer, a good singer, or a good labourer; but how poor he is in spirit, how patient and meek, how devout and spiritual, is seldom spoken of.
Nature respecteth the outward things of a man, grace turneth itself to the inward.
The one is often disappointed; the other hath her trust in God, and so is not deceived.
