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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
because he is never entirely given up to outward things。 No outward
labour and no necessary occupations stand in his way； but as events fall
out； so doth he fit himself to them。 He who is rightly disposed and
ordered within careth not for the strange and perverse conduct of men。 A
man is hindered and distracted in so far as he is moved by outward things。
8。 If it were well with thee； and thou wert purified from evil； all things
would work together for thy good and profiting。 For this cause do many
things displease thee and often trouble thee； that thou art not yet perfectly
dead to thyself nor separated from all earthly things。 Nothing so defileth
and entangleth the heart of man as impure love towards created things。 If
thou rejectest outward comfort thou wilt be able to contemplate heavenly
things and frequently to be joyful inwardly。
（1） Luke xvii。 21。 （2） John xiv。 23。 （3） Hebrews xiii。 14。
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CHAPTER 26
Of lowly submission
Make no great account who is for thee or against thee； but mind only
the present duty and take care that God be with thee in whatsoever thou
dost。 Have a good conscience and God will defend thee； for he whom
God will help no man's perverseness shall be able to hurt。 If thou
knowest how to hold thy peace and to suffer； without doubt thou shalt see
the help of the Lord。 He knoweth the time and the way to deliver thee；
therefore must thou resign thyself to Him。 To God it belongeth to help
and to deliver from all confusion。 Oftentimes it is very profitable for
keeping us in greater humilty； that others know and rebuke our faults。
2。 When a man humbleth himself for his defects； he then easily
pacifieth others and quickly satisfieth those that are angered against him。
God protecteth and delivereth the humble man； He loveth and comforteth
the humble man； to the humble man He inclineth Himself； on the humble
He bestoweth great grace； and when he is cast down He raiseth him to
glory： to the humble He revealeth His secrets； and sweetly draweth and
inviteth him to Himself。 The humble man having received reproach； is
yet in sufficient peace； because he resteth on God and not on the world。
Reckon not thyself to have profited in anywise unless thou feel thyself to
be inferior to all。
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CHAPTER 27
Of the good； peaceable man
First keep thyself in peace； and then shalt thou be able to be a
peacemaker towards others。 A peaceable man doth more good than a
well…learned。 A passionate man turneth even good into evil and easily
believeth evil； a good； peaceable man converteth all things into good。 He
who dwelleth in peace is suspicious of none； but he who is discontented
and restless is tossed with many suspicions； and is neither quiet himself
nor suffereth others to be quiet。 He often saith what he ought not to say；
and omitteth what it were more expedient for him to do。 He considereth
to what duties others are bound； and neglecteth those to which he is bound
himself。 Therefore be zealous first over thyself； and then mayest thou
righteously be zealous concerning thy neighbour。
2。 Thou knowest well how to excuse and to colour thine own deeds；
but thou wilt not accept the excuses of others。 It would be more just to
accuse thyself and excuse thy brother。 If thou wilt that others bear with
thee； bear thou with others。 Behold how far thou art as yet from the true
charity and humility which knows not how to be angry or indignant
against any save self alone。 It is no great thing to mingle the good and the
meek； for this is naturally pleasing to all； and every one of us willingly
enjoyeth peace and liketh best those who think with us： but to be able to
live peaceably with the hard and perverse； or with the disorderly； or those
who oppose us； this is a great grace and a thing much to be commended
and most worthy of a man。
3。 There are who keep themselves in peace and keep peace also with
others； and there are who neither have peace nor suffer others to have
peace； they are troublesome to others； but always more troublesome to
themselves。 And there are who hold themselves in peace； and study to
bring others unto peace； nevertheless； all our peace in this sad life lieth in
humble suffering rather than in not feeling adversities。 He who knoweth
best how to suffer shall possess the most peace； that man is conqueror of
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
himself and lord of the world； the friend of Christ； and the inheritor of
heaven。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 28
Of a pure mind and simple intention
By two wings is man lifted above earthly things； even by simplicity
and purity。 Simplicity ought to be in the intention； purity in the affection。
Simplicity reacheth toward God； purity apprehendeth Him and tasteth Him。
No good action will be distasteful to thee if thou be free within from
inordinate affection。 If thou reachest after and seekest； nothing but the
will of God and the benefit of thy neighbour； thou wilt entirely enjoy
inward liberty。 If thine heart were right； then should every creature be a
mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine。 There is no creature so small
and vile but that it showeth us the goodness of God。
2。 If thou wert good and pure within； then wouldst thou look upon all
things without hurt and understand them aright。 A pure heart seeth the
very depths of heaven and hell。 Such as each one is inwardly； so judgeth
he outwardly。 If there is any j