Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/181

Rh Still doth he strive against the Spirit, and stirreth up inward wars, and suffereth not the kingdom of my soul to be in peace.

4. But Thou that rulest the power of the sea, and stillest the rising of the waves, arise and help me.

Scatter the nations that delight in war, crush Thou them in Thy might.

Display Thy greatness, I beseech Thee, and let Thy right hand be glorified, for there is no other hope or refuge for me, save in Thee, Lord my God.

HOU art never secure in this life, but as long as thou livest, thou shalt always need spiritual armour.

Thou dwellest among enemies, and art assaulted on the right hand and on the left.

If therefore thou defend not thyself on every side with the shield of patience, thou wilt not be long without a wound.

Moreover, if thou fix not thy heart sincerely on Me, willing to suffer all things for Me, thou wilt not be able to bear the heat of this combat, nor to attain to the palm of the blessed.

Thou oughtest therefore manfully to go through all, and to be strong handed against whatsoever withstandeth thee.