Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/134

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120
Of Moderating our Desires.

For not every affection which seems good is immediately to be followed; nor is every contrary affection at the first to be avoided.

It is sometimes expedient to use restraint even in good desires, lest through unseasonable effort thou art distracted of mind; lest by thy want of self-government thou beget a scandal unto others; or again, being thwarted by others and resisted, thou become suddenly confounded, and so fall.

3. Sometimes, however, thou must use violence, and resist manfully thine appetite, not regarding what the flesh would or would not; but rather taking pains that even perforce it may be made subject to the Spirit.

And so long ought it to be chastened and to be forced to remain under servitude, until it be prepared for every thing, and learn to be content with a little, and to be pleased with plain and simple things, and not to murmur against any inconvenience.