Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/69

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Of Amendment of Life.
55

he committed himself wholly to the will of God, and his anxious wavering ceased.

Neither had he the mind to search curiously any farther, to know what should befall him; but rather laboured to understand what was the perfect and acceptable will of God for the beginning and accomplishing of every good work.

3. "Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

One thing there is that draweth many back from spiritual progress, and the diligent amendment of their lives; the fear of the difficulty, or the labour of the combat.

But they especially exceed in all virtue, who make the greatest effort to overcome those things which are most grievous and contrary unto them.

For there a man improveth most and obtaineth greatest grace, where he most overcometh himself and mortifieth himself in spirit.

4. But all men have not equally much to overcome and mortify.

Yet he that is zealous and diligent, though he have more passions, shall profit more than another that is of a more temperate disposition, if he be less fervent in the pursuit of all virtue.

Two things especially further our amendment, To withdraw ourselves violently from those vices to which our nature is most inclined, and to labour earnestly for that good which we most lack.

Be careful also diligently to avoid those things in thyself, which do commonly displease thee in others.

5. Gather some profit to thy soul wheresoever thou