Imitation 1 1614 verses
1Those things which a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he ought patiently to bear, until God shall otherwise ordain.
2Bethink thee that perhaps it is better for thy trial and patience, without which our merits are but little worth.
3Nevertheless thou oughtest, when thou findeth such impediments, to beseech God that He would vouchsafe to sustain thee, that thou be able to bear them with a good will.
4If one who is once or twice admonished refuse to hearken, strive not with him, but commit all to God, that His will may be done and His honour be shown in His servants, for He knoweth well how to convert the evil unto good.
5Endeavour to be patient in bearing with other men’s faults and infirmities whatsoever they be, for thou thyself also hast many things which have need to be borne with by others.
6If thou canst not make thine own self what thou desireth, how shalt thou be able to fashion another to thine own liking?
7We are ready to see others made perfect, and yet we do not amend our own shortcomings.
8We will that others be straitly corrected, but we will not be corrected ourselves.
9The freedom of others displeaseth us, but we are dissatisfied that our own wishes shall be denied us.
10We desire rules to be made restraining others, but by no means will we suffer ourselves to be restrained.
11Thus therefore doth it plainly appear how seldom we weigh our neighbour in the same balance with ourselves.
12If all men were perfect, what then should we have to suffer from others for God?
13But now hath God thus ordained, that we may learn to bear one another’s burdens, because none is without defect, none without a burden, none sufficient of himself, none wise enough of himself; but it behoveth us to bear with one another, to comfort one another, to help, instruct, admonish one another.
14How much strength each man hath is best proved by occasions of adversity: for such occasions do not make a man frail, but show of what temper he is.
