Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/130

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116
Of Sweetness in Serving God.

thee all again; and with great strictness do I exact from thee a return of thanks.

3. This is the truth whereby vain-glory is put to flight.

And if true charity and heavenly grace enter in, there will be no envy nor narrowness of heart, neither will self-love busy itself.

For divine charity overcometh all things, and enlargeth all the powers of the soul.

If thou rightly judge, thou wilt rejoice in Me alone, in Me alone thou wilt hope; for none is good save God alone, Who is to be praised above all things, and in all to be blessed.

CHAPTER X.

THAT IT IS SWEET TO DESPISE THE WORLD AND SERVE GOD.

NOW I will speak again, Lord, and will not be silent; I will say in the ears of my God, my Lord, and my King, who is on high: "how great is the abundance of Thy goodness, O Lord, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee."

But what art Thou to those who love Thee? what to those who serve Thee with their whole heart?

Truly unspeakable is the sweetness of contemplating Thee, which Thou bestowest on them that love Thee.

In this especially Thou hast shewed me the sweetness of Thy love: that when I was not, Thou