Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/132

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
118
Of Sweetness in Serving God.

Thyself hast vouchsafed to serve man, and hast promised that Thou wouldst give Thyself unto him.

4. What shall I give Thee for all these thousands of benefits? I would I could serve Thee all the days of my life.

I would I were able, at least for one day, to do Thee some worthy service.

Truly Thou art worthy of all service, of all honour, and everlasting praise.

Truly Thou art my Lord, and I Thy poor servant, who am bound to serve Thee with all my might, neither ought I ever to be weary of praising Thee.

And this I wish to do, this I desire: and whatsoever is wanting unto me, do Thou, I beseech Thee, vouchsafe to supply.

5. It is a great honour, and a great glory, to serve Thee, and to despise all things for Thee.

For great grace shall be given to those who shall have willingly subjected themselves to Thy most holy service.

They who for Thy love shall have renounced all carnal delights, shall find the sweetest consolations of the Holy Ghost.

They shall attain greater freedom of mind, who for Thy Name's sake enter into the narrow way, and have left off all worldly care.

6. O sweet and delightful service of God, by which a man is made truly free and holy!

O sacred state of religious service, which makes a man equal to the angels, pleasing to God, terrible to devils, and worthy to be commended of all the faithful!