Of the Imitation of Christ/Book III/Chapter XLVI
CHAPTER XLVI.
OF PUTTING OUR TRUST IN GOD WHEN EVIL WORDS ARISE.
Y son, stand steadily, and put thy trust in Me: for what are words, but words?
They fly through the air, but hurt not.
If thou be guilty, see that thou art willing to amend thyself; if conscience reproach thee not, suffer willingly for God's sake.
It is a small matter to suffer sometimes from words, if thou hast not the courage to endure hard stripes.
And why do such small matters go to thy heart, but because thou art yet carnal, and regardest men more than thou oughtest?
For it is because thou art afraid to be despised, that thou art not willing to be reproved for thy faults, but seekest the shelter of excuses.
2. But look better into thyself, and thou shalt acknowledge that the world is yet alive in thee, and a vain desire to please men.
For when thou shrinkest from abasement, and from reproving for thy faults, it is evident that thou art neither truly humble, nor truly dead to the world, nor the world crucified to thee.
But to My words give diligent ear, and thou shalt not regard ten thousand words spoken by men.
Behold, if all should be spoken against thee that could be most maliciously invented, what would it hurt thee, if thou sufferedst it to pass entirely away, could it pluck so much as one hair from thy head?
3. But he that hath no heart within him, and hath not God before his eyes, is easily moved with a word of dispraise.
Whereas he that trusteth in Me, and hath no wish to trust in his own judgment, shall be free from the fear of men.
For I am the judge and the discerner of all secrets: I know him that offered the injury, and him that suffered it.
From Me hath this proceeded; by My permission this hath happened, that the thoughts of many hearts might be revealed.
I shall judge the guilty, and the innocent; but by a secret judgment I beforehand have proved them both.
4. The testimony of men oftentimes deceiveth; but My judgment is true; it shall stand and not be overthrown.
It is commonly hidden, and not known in all respects, but to few; notwithstanding it never erreth, neither can it err, although to the eyes of the foolish it seemeth not right.
Men ought therefore to have recourse to Me in every judgment, and not to lean on their own judgment.
For the just man will not be moved, whatsoever befalleth him from God; and if an unjust charge be brought against him, he will not be troubled.
Neither will he rejoice foolishly, if by means of others he be vindicated.
For he considereth that I am He that searcheth the heart and reins, and judge not according to human appearance.
For oftentimes in My sight that is found worthy of blame, which in the judgment of men is thought to be commendable.
5. O Lord God, the just judge, strong and patient, Thou Who knowest the frailty and wickedness of men, be Thou my strength, for mine own conscience sufficeth me not.
Although against myself I know nothing, yet I cannot justify myself hereby; for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified without Thy mercy.
Of Thy mercy then forgive me whenever I have done amiss, and when trials come grant me Thy grace to endure them.