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beginning。 And the longer a man delayeth his resistance； the weaker he
groweth； and the stronger groweth the enemy against him。
6。 Some men suffer their most grievous temptations in the beginning
of their conversion； some at the end。 Some are sorely tried their whole
life long。 Some there are who are tempted but lightly； according to the
wisdom and justice of the ordering of God； who knoweth the character and
circumstances of men； and ordereth all things for the welfare of His elect。
7。 Therefore we ought not to despair when we are tempted； but the
more fervently should cry unto God； that He will vouchsafe to help us in
all our tribulation； and that He will； as St。 Paul saith； with the temptation
make a way to escape that we may be able to bear it。（2） Let us therefore
humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God in all temptation and
trouble； for He will save and exult such as are of an humble spirit。
8。 In temptations and troubles a man is proved； what progress he hath
made； and therein is his reward the greater； and his virtue doth the more
appear。 Nor is it a great thing if a man be devout and zealous so long as
he suffereth no affliction； but if he behave himself patiently in the time of
adversity； then there is hope of great progress。 Some are kept safe from
great temptations； but are overtaken in those which are little and common；
that the humiliation may teach them not to trust to themselves in great
things； being weak in small things。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
（1） Job vii。 I （Vulg。）。 （2） I Corinthians x。 13。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 13
On avoiding rash judgement
Look well unto thyself； and beware that thou judge not the doings of
others。 In judging others a man laboureth in vain； he often erreth； and
easily falleth into sin； but in judging and examining himself he always
laboureth to good purpose。 According as a matter toucheth our fancy； so
oftentimes do we judge of it； for easily do we fail of true judgement
because of our own personal feeling。 If God were always the sole object
of our desire； we should the less easily be troubled by the erring
judgement of our fancy。
2。 But often some secret thought lurking within us； or even some
outward circumstance； turneth us aside。 Many are secretly seeking their
own ends in what they do； yet know it not。 They seem to live in good
peace of mind so long as things go well with them； and according to their
desires； but if their desires be frustrated and broken； immediately they are
shaken and displeased。 Diversity of feelings and opinions very often
brings about dissensions between friends； between countrymen； between
religious and godly men。
3。 Established custom is not easily relinquished； and no man is very
easily led to see with the eyes of another。 If thou rest more upon thy own
reason or experience than upon the power of Jesus Christ； thy light shall
come slowly and hardly； for God willeth us to be perfectly subject unto
Himself； and all our reason to be exalted by abundant love towards Him。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 14
Of works of charity
For no worldly good whatsoever； and for the love of no man； must
anything be done which is evil； but for the help of the suffering a good
work must sometimes be postponed； or be changed for a better； for herein
a good work is not destroyed； but improved。 Without charity no work
profiteth； but whatsoever is done in charity； however small and of no
reputation it be； bringeth forth good fruit； for God verily considereth what
a man is able to do； more than the greatness of what he doth。
2。 He doth much who loveth much。 He doth much who doth well。
He doth well who ministereth to the public good rather than his own。
Oftentimes that seemeth to be charity which is rather carnality； because it
springeth from natural inclination； self…will； hope of repayment； desire of
gain。
3。 He who hath true and perfect charity； in no wise seeketh his own
good； but desireth that God alone be altogether glorified。 He envieth none；
because he longeth for no selfish joy； nor doth he desire to rejoice in
himself； but longeth to be blessed in God as the highest good。 He
ascribeth good to none save to God only； the Fountain whence all good
proceedeth； and the End； the Peace； the joy of all Saints。 Oh； he who
hath but a spark of true charity； hath verily learned that all worldly things
are full of vanity。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 15
Of bearing with the faults of others
Those things which a man cannot amend in himself or in others； he
ought patiently to bear； until God shall otherwise ordain。 Bethink thee that
perhaps it is better for thy trial and patience； without which our merits are
but little worth。 Nevertheless thou oughtest； when thou findeth such
impediments； to beseech God that He would vouchsafe to sustain thee；
that thou be able to bear them with a good will。
2。 If one who is once or twice admonished refuse to hearken； strive not
with him； but commit all to God； that His will may be done and His
honour shown in His servants； for He knoweth well how to convert the
evil unto good。 Endeavour to be patient in bearing with other men's
faults and infirmities whatsoever they be； for thou thyself also hast many
things which have need to be borne with by others。 If thou canst not
make thine own self what thou desireth； how shalt thou be able to fashion
another to thine own liking。 We are ready to see others made perfect； and
yet we do not a