From the Imitation Of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 19
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The life of a good religious person ought to be adorned with all virtues; that he may inwardly be such as outwardly he seemeth to men.
And with reason there ought to be much more within, that is perceived without. For God beholdeth us; whom we are bound most highly to reverence wheresoever we are, and to walk in purity, like angels, in his sight.
Daily ought we to renew our purposes, and to stir up ourselves to greater fervor, as though this were the first day of our conversion; and to say:
“Help me, my God, in this my good purpose, and in thy holy service: and grant that I may now this day begin perfectly; for that which I have done hitherto is as nothing.”
2. As according to our purpose shall be the success of our spiritual progress; and much diligence is necessary to him that will show progress.
And if he that firmly purposeth often faileth, what shall he do that seldom purposeth anything, or with little resolution?
It may fall out in various ways we forsake our purpose; yet the light omission of spiritual exercises seldom passes without some loss to our souls.
The purpose of just men depends not upon their own wisdom, but upon God’s grace; on whom they rely for whatsoever they take in hand.
For man proposes, but God disposes; neither is the way of man in himself.
3. If an accustomed exercise be sometimes omitted, either for some act of piety, or profit to my brother; it may be easily be recovered again.
But if out of a weariness, or out of carelessness, we lightly forsake the same, it is a great offence against God, and will be found to be prejudicial to ourselves. Let us do the best we can, we shall still too easily fail in many things.
Yet must we always have a fixed course and especially against those failings which do most of all hinder us.
We must diligently search into and set in order both the outward and the inward man, because both of them are of importance to our progress in godliness.
4. If thou canst not continually recollect thyself, yet do it sometimes, at least once a day, namely, in the morning or at night.
In the morning fix thy good purpose; and at night examine thyself what thou hast done, how thou hast behaved thyself in word, deed and thought; for in these perhaps thou hast oftentimes offended both God and thy neighbor.
Gird up thy loins like a man against the evil assaults of the devil; bridle thy riotous appetite, and thou shalt be the better able to keep under all the unruly desires of the flesh.
Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or endeavoring something for the public good.
As for bodily exercises they must be used with discretion, neither are they to be practiced of all men alike.
5. Those exercises which are not common are not to be exposed to public view; for things private are practiced more safely at home.
Nevertheless thou must beware thou neglect not those which are common, being more ready for what is private. But having fully and faithfully accomplished all which thou art bound and enjoined to do, if thou hast any spare time, turn thee to thyself, as thy devotion shall desire.
All can not use one kind of spiritual exercise, but one is more useful for this person, another for that.
According to the seasonableness of times also, various exercises are fitting: some suit better with us on working-days, other on holydays.
In the time of temptation, we have need of some, and of others in time of peace and quietness.
Some we practice when we are pensive, and others when we rejoice in the Lord.
6. About the time of the chief festivals, good exercises are to be renewed, and the prayers of holy men more fervently to be implored.
From festival to festival, we should make some good resolution, as though we were then to depart out of this world, and to come to the everlasting feast in heaven.
Therefore ought we carefully to prepare ourselves at holy times, and to live more devoutly, and to keep more strictly all things that we are to observe, as though we were shortly at God’s hands to receive the rewards of our labors.
7. But if it be deferred, let us realize that we are not sufficiently prepared, and unworthy yet of so great glory which shall be revealed in us in due time; and let us endeavor to prepare ourselves better for our departure.
“Blessed is that servant,” saith the evangelist St. Luke, ”whom his Lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his goods.”
From left to right: Eddie, Mark and me
