Imitation 3 1029 verses
1Now will I speak again, O my Lord, and hold not my peace; I will say in the ears of my God, my Lord, and my King, who is exalted above all, “Oh how plentiful is Thy goodness which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee!” But what art Thou to those who love Thee?
2What to those who serve Thee with their whole heart?
3Truly unspeakable is the sweetness of the contemplation of Thee, which Thou bestowest upon those who love Thee.
4In this most of all Thou hast showed me the sweetness of Thy charity, that when I was not, Thou madest me, and when I wandered far from Thee, Thou broughtest me back that I might serve Thee, and commandedst me to love Thee.
5O Fountain of perpetual love, what shall I say concerning Thee?
6How shall I be unmindful of Thee, who didst vouchsafe to remember me, even after I pined away and perished?
7Thou hast had mercy beyond all hope upon Thy servant, and hast showed Thy grace and friendship beyond all deserving.
8What reward shall I render Thee for this Thy grace?
9For it is not given unto all to renounce this world and its affairs, and to take up a religious life.
10For is it a great thing that I should serve Thee, whom every creature ought to serve?
11It ought not to seem a great thing to me to serve Thee; but rather this appeareth to me a great and wonderful thing, that Thou vouchsafest to receive as Thy servant one so poor and unworthy, and to join him unto Thy chosen servants.
12Behold all things which I have are Thine, and with them I serve Thee.
13And yet verily it is Thou who servest me, rather than I Thee.
14Behold the heaven and the earth which Thou hast created for the service of men; they are at Thy bidding, and perform daily whatsoever Thou dost command.
15Yea, and this is little; for Thou hast even ordained the Angels for the service of man.
16But it surpasseth even all these things, that Thou Thyself didst vouchsafe to minister unto man, and didst promise that Thou wouldest give Thyself unto him.
17What shall I render unto Thee for all these Thy manifold mercies?
18Oh that I were able to serve Thee all the days of my life!
19Oh that even for one day I were enabled to do Thee service worthy of Thyself!
20For verily Thou art worthy of all service, all honour, and praise without end.
21Verily Thou art my God, and I am Thy poor servant, who am bound to serve Thee with all my strength, nor ought I ever to grow weary of Thy praise.
22This is my wish, this is my exceeding great desire, and whatsoever is lacking to me, vouchsafe Thou to supply.
23It is great honour, great glory to serve Thee, and to despise all for Thy sake.
24For they shall have great grace who of their own will shall submit themselves to Thy most holy service.
25They who for Thy love have cast away every carnal delight shall find the sweetest consolation of the Holy Ghost.
26They who enter the narrow way of life for Thy Name’s sake, and have put away all worldly cares, shall attain great liberty of spirit.
27Oh grateful and delightsome service of God, whereby man is made truly free and holy!
28Oh sacred condition of the religious servant, which maketh man equal to the Angels, well-pleasing unto God, terrible to evil spirits, and acceptable to all faithful ones!
29Oh service to be embraced and ever desired, in which the highest good is promised, and joy is gained which shall remain forevermore!
