Of the Imitation of Christ/Book III/Chapter VII
CHAPTER VII.
OF CONCEALING GRACE UNDER THE GUARD OF HUMILITY.
MY son, it is more profitable for thee and more safe, to conceal the grace of devotion; not to lift thyself on high, or to speak much thereof, or to dwell much thereon; but rather to despise thyself, and to fear lest the grace have been given to one unworthy of it.
This affection thou must not too earnestly cleave unto, for it may be quickly changed to the contrary.
Think when thou art in grace, how miserable and needy thou art wont to be without grace.
Nor is it in this only that thy progress in spiritual life consists, that thou hast the grace of comfort; but rather that with humility, self-denial, and patience, thou endurest the withdrawing thereof; provided thou do not then become listless in the exercise of prayer, nor suffer the rest of thy accustomed duties to be at all neglected.
Rather do thou cheerfully perform what lieth in thee, according to the best of thy power and understanding; and do not wholly neglect thyself because of the dryness or anxiety of mind which thou feelest.
2. For there are many who, when things succeed not well with them, presently become impatient or slothful.
For the way of man is not always in his power, but it belongeth unto God to give, and to comfort, when He will, and how much He will, and whom He will; as it shall please Him, and no more.
Some unadvised persons, in their over-earnest desire of the grace of a devoted life, have overthrown themselves; because they attempted more than they were able to perform, not weighing the measure of their own weakness, but following the desire of their heart rather than the judgment of their reason.
And because they presumed on greater matters than was pleasing to God, they therefore quickly lost His grace.
They who had built themselves nests in heaven were made helpless and vile outcasts; to the end that being humbled and impoverished, they might learn not to fly with their own wings, but to trust under My feathers.
They that are yet but novices and inexperienced in the way of the Lord, unless they govern themselves by the counsel of discreet persons, may easily be deceived and broken to pieces.
3. And if they will rather follow their own notions than trust to others who are more experienced, their end will be dangerous, at least if they are unwilling to be drawn away from their own conceit.
It is seldom the case that they who are wise in their own eyes endure humbly to be governed by others.
Better it is to have a small portion of good sense, with humility and a slender understanding, than great knowledge of science with vain self-complacency.
Better it is for thee to have little, than much of that which may make thee proud.
He acts not very discreetly, who wholly gives himself over to spiritual joy, forgetting his former helplessness, and that chastened fear of the Lord, which is afraid of losing the grace which hath been offered.
Nor again is he very valiantly wise who, in time of adversity or any heaviness, at once yields too much to despairing thoughts, and reflects and thinks of Me lest trustfully than he ought.
4. He who in time of peace is willing to be over secure shall be often found in time of war too much dejected and full of fears.
If thou couldest continue humble and moderate within thyself, and also couldest thoroughly govern and moderate thy spirit, thou wouldst not so quickly fall into danger and offence.
It is good counsel, that when fervour of spirit is kindled within thee, thou shouldst consider how it will be, when that light shall leave thee.
And when this happens, remember that the light may return again, which, as a warning to thyself, and for Mine own glory, I have withdrawn for a time.
5. Such trials are oftentimes more profitable, than if thou shouldst always have things prosper according to thy will.
For a man's worthiness is not to be estimated by the number of visions and comforts which he may have, or by his skill in the Scriptures, or by his being placed in a high station.
But if he be grounded in true humility, and full of divine charity; if he be always purely and sincerely seeking God's honour; if he think nothing of and unfeignedly despise himself, and even rejoice more to be despised and lowly esteemed by others.