Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/75

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Of the Inward Life.
61

CHAPTER I.

OF THE INWARD LIFE.

THE kingdom of God is within you, saith the Lord. Turn thee with thy whole heart unto the Lord, and forsake this wretched world, and thy soul shall find rest.

Learn to despise outward things, and to give thyself to things inward, and thou shalt perceive the kingdom of God to be come in thee.

"For the kingdom of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost," which is not given to the unholy.

Christ will come unto thee, and show thee His own consolation, if thou prepare for Him a worthy mansion within thee.

For all His glory and beauty are from within, and there He delighteth Himself.

The inward man He often visiteth; and hath with him sweet discourses, pleasant solace, much peace, familiarity exceeding wonderful.

2. O faithful soul, make ready thy heart for this Bridegroom, that He may vouchsafe to come unto thee, and to dwell with thee.

For He said, "If any man love Me, he will keep My words, and We will come unto him, and will make our abode with him."