Imitation 3 3126 verses
1O Lord, I still need more grace, if I would arrive where neither man nor any other creature may hinder me.
2For so long as anything keepeth me back, I cannot freely fly unto Thee.
3He desired eagerly thus to fly, who cried, saying, “O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee away and be at rest.” What is more peaceful than the single eye?
4And what more free than he that desireth nothing upon earth?
5Therefore must a man rise above every creature, and perfectly forsake himself, and with abstracted mind to stand and behold that Thou, the Creator of all things, hast among Thy creatures nothing like unto Thyself.
6And except a man be freed from all creatures, he will not be able to reach freely after Divine things.
7Therefore few are found who give themselves to contemplation, because few know how to separate themselves entirely from perishing and created things.
8For this much grace is necessary, which may lift up the soul and raise it above itself.
9And except a man be lifted up in the spirit, and freed from all creatures, and altogether united to God, whatsoever he knoweth, whatsoever even he hath, it mattereth but little.
10He who esteemeth anything great save the one only incomprehensible, eternal good, shall long time be little and lie low.
11For whatsoever is not God is nothing, and ought to be counted for nothing.
12Great is the difference between a godly man, illuminated with wisdom, and a scholar learned in knowledge and given to books.
13Far nobler is that doctrine which floweth down from the divine fullness above, than that which is acquired laboriously by human study.
14Many are found who desire contemplation, but they do not strive to practice those things which are required thereunto.
15It is also a great impediment, that much is made of symbols and external signs, and too little of thorough mortification.
16I know not how it is, and by what spirit we are led, and what we who would be deemed spiritual are aiming at, that we give so great labour and so eager solicitude for transitory and worthless things, and scarcely ever gather our senses together to think at all of our inward condition.
17Ah, me!
18Forthwith after a little recollection we rush out of doors, and do not subject our actions to a strict examination.
19Where our affections are set we take no heed, and we weep not that all things belonging to us are so defiled.
20For because “all flesh had corrupted itself upon the earth,” the great deluge came.
21Since therefore our inmost affections are very corrupt, it followeth of necessity that our actions also are corrupt, being the index of a deficient inward strength.
22Out of a pure heart proceedeth the fruit of good living.
23We demand, how much a man hath done; but from how much virtue he acted, is not so narrowly considered.
24We ask if he be strong, rich, handsome, clever, whether he is a good writer, good singer, good workman; but how poor he may be in spirit, how patient and gentle, how devout and meditative, on these things many are silent.
25Nature looketh upon the outward appearance of a man, grace turneth its thought to the heart.
26The former frequently judgeth amiss; the latter trusteth in God, that it may not be deceived.
