Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/23

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Of the Truth.
9

rather than to live well, they are often deceived, and reap but little or no fruit.

5. O, if men bestowed as much labour in the rooting out of vices, and the planting of virtues, as they do in moving questions, neither would there be so many evils, nor so great scandals, in the world.

Truly, at the day of judgment we shall not be examined as to what we have read, but as to what we have done; not as to how well we have spoken, but as to how religiously we have lived.

Tell me, where are all those Doctors and Masters, with whom thou wast well acquainted, whilst they lived and flourished in learning?

Now others occupy their places and perhaps do scarce ever think of those who went before them. In their life-time they seemed something, but now they are not spoken of.

6. O, how quickly doth the glory of the world pass away! O that their life had been answerable to their learning! then had their study and reading been to good purpose.

How many perish by reason of vain learning, who take little care to serve God.

And because they rather choose to be great than humble, they become vain in their imaginations.

He is truly great who is great in charity.

He is truly great that is little in himself, and that maketh no account of any height of honour.

He is truly wise, that accounteth all earthly things as dung, that he may gain Christ.

And he is truly learned, that doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.