Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/270

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256
Of Frequent Communion.

nor dare to omit the holy communion on account of his assaults, or for the troubles which he raiseth within thee.

3. Oftentimes also a too great solicitude for the obtaining a certain height of devotion, and a kind of anxiety about the confession of sins hindereth thee.

Follow herein the counsel of the wise, and lay aside all anxiety and scrupulousness; for it hindereth the grace of God, and overthroweth the devotion of the mind.

Do not omit the holy communion for every small vexation and trouble, but rather proceed at once to confess thy sins, and cheerfully forgive others whatever offences they have done against thee.

And if thou hast offended any, humbly crave pardon, and God will readily forgive thee.

4. What availeth it to delay long the confession of thy sins, or to defer the holy communion?

Make thyself thoroughly clean as soon as possible. Spit out the poison with all speed, make haste to apply this sovereign Remedy, and thou shalt find it to be better with thee than if thou long defer it.

If thou omit it to-day for one cause, perhaps to-morrow another of greater force may occur to thee; and so thou mayest be hindered a long time from communion, and grow more and more unfit.

As quickly as ever thou canst, shake off from thyself all heaviness and sloth. For it is of no use to continue in disquietness, or to be going on with a disturbed conscience, and so for every-day impediments to separate thyself from this divine service.

Yea, it is very hurtful to defer the communion