Of the Imitation of Christ/Book II/Chapter X
CHAPTER X.
OF GRATITUDE FOR THE GRACE OF GOD.
HY seekest thou rest, since thou art born to labour?
Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness.
What worldling is there that would not willingly receive spiritual joy and comfort if he could always have it?
For spiritual comforts exceed all the delights of the world, and the pleasures of the flesh.
For all worldly delights are either vain or unclean; but spiritual delights alone are pleasant and honest, sprung from virtue, and infused by God into pure minds.
But no man can always enjoy these divine comforts according to his desire; for the time of temptation is not far away.
2. But false freedom of mind and great confidence in ourselves are very contrary to heavenly visitations.
God doeth well for us in giving the grace of comfort; but man doeth evil in not returning all again unto God with thanksgiving.
And therefore the gifts of grace cannot flow in us, because we are unthankful to the giver, and return them not wholly to the fountain.
For grace ever attendeth him that is duly thankful; and from the proud shall be taken that which is wont to be given to the humble.
3. I desire not that consolation that taketh from me compunction; nor do I affect that contemplation which leadeth to haughtiness.
For all that is high is not holy; nor all that is sweet, good; nor every desire, pure; nor is everything that is dear unto us pleasing to God.
Willingly do I accept that grace, whereby I may ever be found more humble, and more affected with holy fear, and may become more ready to renounce myself.
He that is taught by the gift of grace, and schooled by the withdrawing thereof, will not dare to attribute any good to himself, but will rather acknowledge himself poor and naked.
Give unto God that which is God's, and ascribe unto thyself that which is thine own; that is, give thanks to God for His grace; and acknowledge that to thyself alone is to be attributed sin, and the punishment due to sin.
4. Set thyself always in the lowest place and the highest shall be given thee: for the highest cannot stand without the lowest.
The chiefest Saints before God are the least in their own judgments; and the more glorious they are, so much the humbler within themselves.
Those that are full of truth and heavenly glory, are not desirous of empty glory.
Those that are firmly settled and grounded in God, can in no way be proud.
And they that ascribe all good unto God, whatsoever they have received, seek not glory one of another, but wish for that glory which is from God alone; and above all things that God may be praised in Himself, and in all His saints; and are always tending to this very thing.
5. Be therefore thankful for the least gift, so shalt thou be meet to receive greater.
Let the least be unto thee even as the greatest, yea the most contemptible gift as of especial value.
If thou consider the worth of the giver, no gift will seem little, or of too mean esteem. For that cannot be little which is given by the most High God.
Yea, if He should give punishment and stripes, it ought to be matter of thankfulness; because He doeth always for our welfare, whatsoever He permitted to happen unto us.
He that desireth to keep the grace of God, let him be thankful for grace given, and patient for the taking away thereof; let him pray that it may return; let him be cautious and humble, lest he lose it.
