Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/169

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Of Seeking God in Afflication.
155

CHAPTER XXIX.

HOW THAT WE OUGHT TO CALL UPON GOD, AND BLESS HIM WHEN TRIBULATION IS UPON US.

BLESSED be Thy Name, O Lord, for ever; for that it is Thy will that this temptation and tribulation should come upon me.

I cannot escape it, but must needs flee unto Thee, that Thou mayest help me and turn it to my good.

Lord, I am now in affliction, and am ill at ease. I am much troubled with the present suffering.

And now, O beloved Father, what shall I say? I am in a strait; save Thou me from this hour.

Yet therefore came I unto this hour that Thou mightest be glorified, when I shall have been greatly humbled, and by Thee delivered.

Let it please Thee, Lord, to deliver me; for wretched that I am, what can I do, and whither shall I go without Thee?

Grant me patience, O Lord, even now in this my strait. Help me, my God, and then I will not fear how grievously I may be afflicted.

2. And now in the midst of my troubles what shall I say?

Lord, Thy will be done! I have well deserved to be afflicted.

Surely I ought to bear it; and O that I may bear it with patience, until the tempest be past, and all be well again, or even better!