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All therefore is vanity； save to love God and to serve Him only。 For he
who loveth God with all his heart feareth not death； nor punishment； nor
judgment； nor hell； because perfect love giveth sure access to God。 But
he who still delighteth in sin； no marvel if he is afraid of death and
judgment。 Nevertheless it is a good thing； if love as yet cannot restrain
thee from evil； that at least the fear of hell should hold thee back。 But he
who putteth aside the fear of God cannot long continue in good； but shall
quickly fall into the snares of the devil。
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CHAPTER 24
Of the zealous amendment of our whole life
Be thou watchful and diligent in God's service； and bethink thee often
why thou hast renounced the world。 Was it not that thou mightest live to
God and become a spirtual man？ Be zealous； therefore； for thy spiritual
profit； for thou shalt receive shortly the reward of thy labours； and neither
fear nor sorrow shall come any more into thy borders。 Now shalt thou
labour a little； and thou shalt find great rest； yea everlasting joy。 If thou
shalt remain faithful and zealous in labour； doubt not that God shall be
faithful and bountiful in rewarding thee。 It is thy duty to have a good
hope that thou wilt attain the victory； but thou must not fall into security
lest thou become slothful or lifted up。
2。 A certain man being in anxiety of mind； continually tossed about
between hope and fear； and being on a certain day overwhelmed with grief；
cast himself down in prayer before the altar in church； and meditated
within himself； saying； 〃Oh！ if I but knew that I should still persevere；〃
and presently heard within him a voice from God； 〃And if thou didst know
it； what wouldst thou do？ Do now what thou wouldst do then； and thou
shalt be very secure。〃 And straightway being comforted and
strengthened； he committed himself to the will of God and the perturbation
of spirit ceased； neither had he a mind any more to search curiously to
know what should befall him hereafter； but studied rather to inquire what
was the good and acceptable will of God； for the beginning and perfecting
of every good work。
3。 Hope in the Lord and be doing good； saith the Prophet； dwell in the
land and thou shalt be fed（1） with its riches。 One thing there is which
holdeth back many from progress and fervent amendment； even the dread
of difficulty； or the labour of the conflict。 Nevertheless they advance
above all others in virtue who strive manfully to conquer those things
which are most grievous and contrary to them； for there a man profiteth
most and meriteth greater grace where he most overcometh himself and
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
mortifieth himself in spirit。
4。 But all men have not the same passions to conquer and to mortify；
yet he who is diligent shall attain more profit； although he have stronger
passions； than another who is more temperate of disposition； but is withal
less fervent in the pursuit of virtue。 Two things specifically avail unto
improvement in holiness； namely firmness to withdraw ourselves from the
sin to which by nature we are most inclined； and earnest zeal for that good
in that which we are most lacking。 And strive also very earnestly to
guard against and subdue those faults which displease thee most
frequently in others。
5。 Gather some profit to thy soul wherever thou art； and wherever thou
seest or hearest good examples； stir thyself to follow them； but where thou
seest anything which is blameworthy； take heed that thou do not the same；
or if at any time thou hast done it； strive quickly to amend thyself。 As
thine eye observeth others； so again are the eyes of others upon thee。
How sweet and pleasant is it to see zealous and godly brethren temperate
and of good discipline； and how sad it is to see them walking disorderly；
not practising the duties to which they are called。 How hurtful a thing it is
to neglect the purpose of their calling； and turn their inclinations to things
which are none of their business。
6。 Be mindful of the duties which thou hast undertaken； and set always
before thee the remembrance of the Crucified。 Truly oughtest thou to be
ashamed as thou lookest upon the life of Jesus Christ； because thou hast
not yet endeavoured to conform thyself more unto Him； though thou hast
been a long time in the way of God。 A religious man who exercises
himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our
Lord shall find there abundantly all things that are profitable and
necessary for him； neither is there need that he shall seek anything better
beyond Jesus。 Oh！ if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts； how
quickly； and completely should we have learned all that we need to know！
7。 He who is earnest receiveth and beareth well all things that are laid
upon him。 He who is careless and lukewarm hath trouble upon trouble；
and suffereth anguish upon every side； because he is without inward
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consolation； and is forbidden to seek that which is outward。 He who is
living without discipline is exposed to grievous ruin。 He who seeketh
easier and lighter discipline shall always be in distress； because one thing
or another gives him displeasure。
8。 O！ if no other duty lay upon us but to praise the Lord our God with
our whole heart and voice！ Oh！ if thou never hadst need to eat or drink；
or sleep； but wert always able to praise God； and to give thyself to spiritual
exercises alone； then shouldest thou be far happier than now； when for so
many necessities thou must serve the flesh。 O！ that these necessities
were not； but only the spiritual refreshment of the soul； which alas we
taste too seldom。
9。 When a man hath come to this； that he seeketh comfort from no
created th