That We Are to Rest in God Above All Things
Which Are Good, and Above All His Own Gifts
Above all things, and in all things, O my soul, thou shalt rest in the Lord always, for he himself is the everlasting rest of the saints.
Grant me, O most sweet and loving Jesus, to rest in thee above all creatures[1], above all health and beauty, above all glory and honor, above all power and dignity, above all knowledge and subtility, above all riches and arts, above all joy and gladness, above all fame and praise, above all sweetness and comfort, above all hope and promise, above all desert and desire:
Above all gifts and presents that thou canst give and impart unto us, above all mirth and jubilation that the mind of man can receive and feel:
Finally, above angels and archangels, and above all the heavenly host, above all visible and invisible things, and above all that thou art not, O my God.
2. Because thou, O Lord, my God, art supremely good above all; thou alone art most high, thou alone most powerful, thou alone most full and sufficient, thou alone most sweet and most full of consolation.
Thou alone art most beautiful and loving, thou alone most notable and glorious above all things, in whom all good things together both perfectly are, and ever have been, and shall be.
And therefore it is too small, and unsatisfying, whatever thou bestowest on me beside thyself, or revealest unto me of thyself, or dost promise, while thou art not seen, and not fully obtained.
For surely my heart can not truly rest, nor be entirely contented, unless it rest in thee, and transcend all gifts and all creatures whatsoever.
3. O thou most beloved spouse of my soul, Jesus Christ, thou most pure Lover, thou Lord of all creation: Oh, that I had the wings f true liberty, that I might fly away and rest in thee[2].
Oh, when shall it fully granted to me, to consider in quietness of mind and see how sweet thou art, my Lord God!
When shall I fully collect myself in thee, that by reason of my love to thee I may not feel myself, but thee alone, above all sense and measure, in a manner known to all![3]
But now I oftentimes sigh, and bear my unhappiness with grief.
Because many evils occur in this vale of miseries, which do often trouble, grieve, and cover me with a cloud; often hinder and distract me, allure, and entangle me, so that I can have no free access unto thee, nor enjoy the sweet welcomings, which are ever ready for the blessed spirits.
Oh, let my sighs move thee, and my manifold desolation here on earth.
4. O Jesus, thou brightness of eternal glory, thou comfort of the pilgrim-soul, with thee is my mouth without voice, and my very silence speaketh unto thee.
How long doth my Lord delay to come?
Let him come unto me, his poor despised servant, and let him make me glad. Let him put forth his hand, and deliver a poor wretch from all anguish.
Come, oh, come; for without thee I shall have no joyful day or hour; for thou art my joy, and without thee my table is empty.
A wretched creature I am, and in a manner imprisoned and loaded with fetters, until thou refresh me with the light of thy presence, and grant me liberty, and show a friendly countenance toward me.
5. Let others seek what they please instead of thee; but for me, nothing else doth shall delight me, but thou only, my God, my hope, my everlasting salvation.
I will not hold my peace, nor cease to pray, until thy grace return again, and thou speak inwardly unto me.
Behold, here I am. Behold, I come unto thee, because thou hast called upon
And I said, Lord, I have called thee, and have desired to enjoy thee, being ready to refuse all things for thee.
For thou first hast stirred me up, that I might seek thee.
Blessed be thou therefore, O Lord, that has showed this goodness to thy servant, according to the multitude of thy mercies.
6. What hath thy servant more to say before thee? He can only greatly humble himself in thy sight, ever mindful of his own iniquity and vileness.
For there is none like unto thee[4] in all whatever is wonderful in heaven and earth.
Thy works are very good, thy judgments true, and by thy providence the universe is governed.
Praise therefore, and glory be unto thee, O Wisdom of the Father: let my mouth, my soul, and all creatures together, praise and bless thee.
From Chapter 21, Book 3 of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.
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