Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/59

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Of Human Misery.
45

ours, we can never be without sin, nor live without weariness and pain.

We would gladly have rest from all misery, but seeing that by sin we have lost our innocency, we have together with that lost also the true felicity.

Therefore it becomes us to have patience, and to wait for the mercy of God, till this tyranny be overpast, and mortality be swallowed up of life.

6. O how great is human frailty, which is always prone to evil!

To-day thou confessest thy sins, and to-morrow thou committest the very same which thou hast confessed.

Now, thou art purposed to look well unto thy ways, and within a while thou so behavest thyself, as though thou hadst never any such purpose at all.

Good cause have we therefore to humble ourselves, and never to have any great conceit of ourselves, since we are so frail and so inconstant.

That also may quickly be lost by our own negligence, which by the grace of God, with much labour we have scarce at length obtained.

7. What will become of us in the end, who begin so early to wax lukewarm!

Woe be unto us, if we will so give ourselves unto ease as if all were now peace and safety, when as yet there appeareth no sign of true holiness in our conversation.

We have much need like young novices to be newly instructed again to good life, if haply there be some hope of future amendment, and greater proficiency in things spiritual.