Page:Imitation-of-christ-1901.djvu/208

Rh honour of God, that they make such earnest requests to Him.

Such also oftentimes are thy desires, which thou hast pretended to be so serious and earnest.

For those desires are not pure and perfect, which are tainted with love of thyself.

3. Ask not for that which is delightful and profitable to thee, but for that which is acceptable to Me, and which tendeth to My honour; for if thou judgest aright, thou oughtest to prefer and follow My appointment, rather than thine own desire, or any thing whatever that is to be desired.

I know thy desire, and have heard thy groanings.

Thou longest now to enjoy the glorious liberty of the sons of God; now thou dost delight in the everlasting habitation, thy heavenly home full of joy; but that hour is not yet come; there still remaineth another time, and that a time of war, a time of labour and of trial.

Thou desiredst to be filled with the chiefest good, but thou canst not yet attain it.

I am He: wait thou for Me, saith the Lord, until the kingdom of God shall come.

4. Thou art still to be tried upon earth, and to be exercised in many things.

Comfort shall be sometimes given thee, but the abundant fulness thereof shall not be granted.

Take courage, therefore, and be valiant, as well in doing as in suffering things contrary to nature.

It is thy duty to put on the new man, and to be changed into another.