Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/165

Rh I speak not of those things which worldly vanity so earnestly desireth, but of those miseries, which, as punishments and as the common curse of mortality, do weigh down and hinder the soul of Thy servant, that it cannot enter into the freedom of the Spirit so often as it would.

3. O my God, Thou sweetness ineffable, turn into bitterness all carnal comforts; they draw me away from the love of eternal things, and in evil wise allure me by the view of some present good.

Let me not be overcome, O Lord, let me not be overcome by flesh and blood; let not the world and the brief glory thereof deceive me; let not the devil and his subtle fraud overtake me.

Give me strength to resist, patience to endure, and constancy to persevere.

Give me, instead of all the comforts of the world, the most sweet unction of Thy Spirit, and, in place of carnal love, pour into my heart the love of Thy name.

4. Behold! meat, drink, clothing, and other necessaries for the support of the body, are burdensome to a fervent spirit.

Grant me to use such refreshments moderately, and not to be entangled with an undue desire of them.

It is not lawful to cast away all things, because nature must be sustained; but to require superfluities and those things that are pleasurable, the holy law forbiddeth us; for then the flesh would rebel against the Spirit.

Herein, I beseech Thee, let Thy hand teach me, that I may not exceed the due bounds.