Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/205

Rh I long to enjoy Thee inwardly, but I cannot attain unto it.

My desire is, that I may be wholly given up to heavenly things, but temporal things and unmortified passions weigh me down.

With the mind I wish to be above all things, but with the flesh I am enforced against my will to be beneath all.

Thus, unhappy man that I am, I fight against myself, and am become grievous to myself, whilst my spirit seeketh to be above, and my flesh to be below.

5. O what do I inwardly suffer, whilst in my mind I dwell on things heavenly, in my prayers a multitude of carnal fancies rise up! O my God, be not Thou far from me, nor turn away in wrath from Thy servant.

Cast forth Thy lightning and disperse them; shoot out Thine arrows, and let all the imaginations of the enemy be confounded.

Gather in and call home my senses unto Thee; make me to forget all worldly things; enable me to cast away speedily, and to despise all the wicked imaginations.

Succour me, Thou the everlasting truth, that no vanity may move me.

Come to me, Thou heavenly sweetness, and let all impurity flee from before Thy face.

Pardon me also, and in mercy deal gently with me, as often as in prayer I think on aught beside Thee.

Truly I must confess, that I am wont to yield to many distractions.

Oftentimes I am not where I stand or sit, but