Imitation 3 1224 verses
1O Lord God, I see that patience is very necessary unto me; for many things in this life fall out contrary.
2For howsoever I may have contrived for my peace, my life cannot go on without strife and trouble.
3“Thou speakest truly, My Son.
4For I will not that thou seek such a peace as is without trials, and knoweth no adversities; but rather that thou shouldest judge thyself to have found peace, when thou art tried with manifold tribulations, and proved by many adversities.
5If thou shalt say that thou art not able to bear much, how then wilt thou sustain the fire hereafter?
6Of two evils we should always choose the less.
7Therefore, that thou mayest escape eternal torments hereafter, strive on God’s behalf to endure present evils bravely.
8Thinkest thou that the children of this world suffer nought, or but little?
9Thou wilt not find it so, even though thou find out the most prosperous.
10“ ‘But,’ thou wilt say, ‘they have many delights, and they follow their own wills, and thus they bear lightly their tribulations.’
11“Be it so, grant that they have what they list; but how long, thinkest thou, will it last?
12Behold, like the smoke those who are rich in this world will pass away, and no record shall remain of their past joys.
13Yea, even while they yet live, they rest not without bitterness and weariness and fear.
14For from the very same thing wherein they find delight, thence they oftentimes have the punishment of sorrow.
15Justly it befalleth them, that because out of measure they seek out and pursue pleasures, they enjoy them not without confusion and bitterness.
16Oh how short, how false, how inordinate and wicked are all these pleasures!
17Yet because of their sottishness and blindness men do not understand; but like brute beasts, for the sake of a little pleasure of this corruptible life, they incur death of the soul.
18‘Thou therefore, my son, go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.’ ‘Delight thou in , and He shall give thee thy heart’s desire.’
19“For if thou wilt truly find delight, and be abundantly comforted of Me, behold in the contempt of all worldly things and in the avoidance of all worthless pleasures shall be thy blessing, and fullness of consolation shall be given thee.
20And the more thou withdrawest thyself from all solace of creatures, the more sweet and powerful consolations shalt thou find.
21But at the first thou shalt not attain to them, without some sorrow and hard striving.
22Long-accustomed habit will oppose, but it shall be overcome by better habit.
23The flesh will murmur again and again, but will be restrained by fervour of spirit.
24The old serpent will urge and embitter thee, but will be put to flight by prayer; moreover, by useful labour his entrance will be greatly obstructed.”
