Of the Imitation of Christ/Book I/Chapter XIX
CHAPTER XIX.
OF THE EXERCISES OF A RELIGIOUS PERSON.
HE life of a Religious person ought to excel in all virtues; that he may be inwardly such as he outwardly seemeth to men.
And truly there ought to be much more within, than 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 fervour, 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. According to our purpose shall be the success of our spiritual profiting; and much diligence is necessary to him that will profit much.
And if he that firmly purposeth often faileth, what shall he do that seldom or but weakly purposeth anything?
Yet in various ways it happens that we forsake our purpose, and a slight omission of our spiritual exercises is not without loss to our souls.
The purpose of just men depends not upon their own wisdom, but upon God's grace; on whom they rely always for what 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 a brother, it may easily be recovered again.
But if, out of weariness or carelessness, we lightly omit it, it is very blameworthy, and will be felt to be hurtful. Do the best we can, we shall still too easily fail in many things.
Yet must we always have some fixed purpose, and especially against those sins which do most of all hinder us.
We must diligently search into, and set in order both our outward and inward things, 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 in the morning and 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 neighbour.
Gird up thy loins like a man against the vile assaults of the devil; bridle thy riotous appetite, and thou shalt be the better able to keep under the unruly motions of the flesh.
Never be entirely idle; but either read, or write, or pray, or meditate, or endeavour to do something for the public good.
As for bodily exercises they must be used with discretion, neither are they to be practised of all men alike.
5. Devotions which belong not to the community ought not to be exposed to public view; for private devotions are practised most safely at home.
Nevertheless thou must beware thou neglect not those which are public, being more ready for what is private. But having fully accomplished all which thou art bound to do, if thou hast spare time, betake thee to thyself and thy devotions.
All cannot use one kind of spiritual exercise, one is useful for this person, another for that.
According to seasonableness also, divers exercises are fitting; some suit better on working days, others on holy days.
In the time of temptation, we have need of some, and of others in time of peace and quietness.
Some suit us 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 the godly more fervently to be implored.
From festival to festival we should purpose, as though we were then to depart, and to come to the everlasting festival.
Therefore ought we carefully to prepare ourselves at holy times, and to live more devoutly, and to keep more exactly all things that we are to observe, as though we were shortly at God's hands to receive the reward of our labours.
7. But if that reward be deferred, let us think with ourselves 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 endeavour to prepare ourselves better for our departure.
"Blessed is that servant (saith 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."
