286 Thomas & Kempis But wherefore is this that thou comes t thus unto me? who am I that thou wilt give thus thine own self to me? How dare I so simple and poor a sinner be bold to appear before thee and how can it please thee to come unto such a wretch?
Thou knowest thy servant and well understandest that noth- ing is good in him why thou shouldst do this grace unto me.
Then do I confess my unworthiness and acknowledge thy bounty and praise thy pity and give unto thee thanks for thy so much great charity; and thou doest this for thyself, good Lord, and not for my merit, to the end that thy bounty may the more be known unto me.
Thy charity is more largely verified and thy meekness com- mended more perfectly since it thus pleaseth thee and also thou hast commanded it to be done; this thy pleas- ure contenteth me and, with my will, my wickedness shall not resist against thee.
sweet and benign Jesu how great reverence and thanksgiving with perpetual praise be due unto thee, my good Lord, Jesu Christ, that by thy pleasure and will I may receive thy blessed body whose worthiness no man is found able to declare or express. But what shall I think of this communion when I shall come unto thee my Lord God, which I cannot duly honour, and yet I desire devoutly to receive thee. What may I think better and more profitable for me than to humble myself wholly before thee and to praise thine infinite bounty above all things.
1 praise thee my Lord God everlasting and dispraise myself and submit me unto the deepness of my wretch- edness. O my God thou art saint of all saints and I the filth of all sinners, yet thou inclinest thyself unto me that am not worthy to behold thee.
Alas my sweet creator that so meekly comest unto me and wiliest to be with me and desirest me unto thy dinner and givest unto me the meat of heaven and the bread The Imitation of Christ 287 of angels which is bread of life and no less thing than thyself which didst descend from heaven and give life unto the world; let us see here what great love proceedeth from thee and what gentleness doth shine upon us.
How great yieldings of thanks and love be due unto thee from us sinners. O how profitable and how healthful was thy counsel when thou didst institute and ordain this gracious gift. O how sweet and joyous is that feast wherein thou hast given unto us the feeding of thy precious body.
O good Lord how marvellous be thy operations and how mighty is thy virtue and thy truth unable to be told. Thou hast said and all things were done and all that thou hast commanded hath taken effect.
A marvellous thing to be believed and far above the under- standing of man that thou, my Lord God, very God and man, art wholly contained under a little likeness of bread and wine and thou art wholly received without consum- ing him that so receive th thee.
Thou, Lord of all, that hast no need of any manner of thing yet thou hast willed to inhabit within us by this thy holy sacrament. Lord, keep my heart and my body unde- filed to the end that with a pure and joyous conscience I may often receive to my everlasting health these holy mysteries which be instituted and ordained chiefly unto thine honour and perpetual remembrance.
O my soul, rejoice thee and give thanks unto thy God for his noble gift and singular comfort that it will please him here in this vale of tears thus to comfort thee. For as oftentimes as thou rememberest this mystery and re- ceivest this blessed body of our Lord, so often thou receivest the work of thy redemption and art made partner of all the merits of our Lord Jesu Christ. For his charity is never minished and the greatness of his mercy is never consumed; wherefore thou oughtest to dispose thee alway with a new revolving of thy thought and 288 Thomas 4 Kempis 288 Thomas 4 Kempis oughtest to consider this great mystery of thy health by attentive raising of thy soul.
And this work ought to be unto thee as greatly new and joyous when thou receivest it as if that same day our Lord had first descended into the womb of the Virgin Mary to be made man; or as if he that day had suffered death for the health of man upon the cross.
CHAPTER III WHAT GREAT PROFIT IT IS OFTEN TO RECEIVE THE BODY OF OUR LORD JESU CHRIST LORD I come unto Thee to the end that wealth may come unto me of Thy gift and that I may joy at the holy feast that Thou hast made ready unto me, poor wretch, by thy sweet benignity in the which my Saviour is all that I may or ought to desire: for Thou art my health, my redemp- tion, my strength, honour and joy.
Alas my Lord God make thy daily servant joyous. For my Lord Jesu I have raised my soul unto thee and now de- sire devoutly and reverently to receive thee into my house to the end that I may deserve with Zacchaeus to be blessed of thee and to be accompted among the chil- dren of Abraham.
My soul desireth thy body, my heart desireth to be united only with thee. Give thyself unto me good Lord and then I am sufficed, for without thee no consolation nor com- fort is good; without thee I may not be and without thy visitation I may not live; wherefore it behove th me oftentimes to come and approach to thy high presence to receive thee for the remedy of my health to the intent I fail not in the way of this mortal life if I am defrauded of thy spiritual nourishing.
Also my right merciful Lord Jesu when thou hast preached unto the people and healed them of divers sickness thou The Imitation of Christ 289 hast said "I will not leave them fasting and without any refection lest peradventure they might fail in their way."
Do with me then, good Lord, in that manner since thou hast left this holy sacrament for the comfort of all faithful people; for thou art the sweet refection of the souls of them that have worthily received and eaten thee and they shall be partners and also inheritors of the eternal joy.
Certain it is unto me necessary who so often sins and so soon cools and at every hour fails to come unto the end that by continual orisons and confessions and by the receiv- ing of thy holy body I may purify and renew the heat of my refection. For peradventure in abstaining too long to receive thee, I may leave, forget and run from my good purpose.
For the wit of man and woman from their childhood be in- clined unto all evil, and also if that this divine and godly medicine help us not, innocent we fall unto worse. Then this holy communion draweth men from evil and com- forteth them again in goodness for I am many times very negligent and very often cooled when that I commune or worship my God. What should I then do if I took not that medicine and asked of him grace and help?
And albeit I am not alway well disposed to receive thy crea- ture yet shall I put me unto pain to receive those sacred mysteries in time convenient so that I may be made partner of so great grace. For it is one of the most prin- cipal and greatest consolations unto faithful souls all the time they shall make their pilgrimage in this mortal body and to the intent we may have the more mind of thy benefits.
My Lord God I shall more often receive thee, my loving Lord,, with a devout thought. marvellous gentleness of thine unspeakable pity towards us that thou, Lord God, creator and giver of life unto all spirits, hath willed to come to one so poor a soul with thy deity and humanity and hath granted to my poor lean and dry soul to be made fat 290 Thomas d Kempis with thy grace and thy holy unction of thy sweet spirit.
O happy thought and well happy soul that deserveth devoutly to receive his God his Lord and creator and in that receiving to be fulfilled with joy and spiritual gladness.
O what great Lord receivest thou. O what and how great an host entertainest thou into thy lodging, how joyous a fellow takest thou into thy house, how faithful a friend thou admittest unto thee, and how good noble and sweet a spouse embracest thou which ought to be beloved and desired above all things.
O right sweet beloved Lord, the heaven and earth and all the ornaments of them hold silence in the presence of thy face. For what praise, honour and beauty they have it is of thy mercy and largeness and cannot be like unto the honour and beauty of thy holy name and of thy wisdom, whereof there is no number neither end.
CHAPTER IV HOW MANY ADVANTAGES BE GIVEN UNTO THEM THAT DEVOUTLY RECEIVE THIS HOLY SACRAMENT MY LORD God I humbly beseech thee to prevent me thy servant in the blessings of thy sweet meekness, so that I may deserve to come worthily and devoutly to the holy sacrament most to be magnified. Stir my heart and loose it from the dull heaviness of my mortal body. Visit me with the messenger of health and give me to taste thy sweetness spiritual which is hid fully in the sacrament as in a fountain of all sweetness. Illumine mine eyes to behold this great mystery and strongly confirm me to believe the faith undoub table; for it is thy work and not the power of man; it is thy holy ordinance and not (done) by man's device. For there is no man found able f himself to conceive and understand these holy mys- teries which pass the subtlety of angels.
The Imitation of Christ 291 Then how may I poor unworthy sinner which am but earth and ashes search and conceive so high and holy secrecy? Lord I come unto thee in simpleness of heart and in firm faith and by thy commandment and with meek hope and reverence. And truly I believe that thou art here present in this holy sacrament, very God and man.
And thou wilt I shall receive thee and join me unto thee by charity: wherefore I humbly pray and require that it may please thee to give unto me thy special grace so that I may be all relented and flow over with thy love in such wise that I shall not desire any other consolation.
For this high worthy sacrament is the health of soul and body. It is the medicine of all spiritual sickness, in the which my sins be healed, passions be refrained, tempta- tions be overcome and minished, more great graces be given, the virtue begun increased, faith is established, hope is made strong and fortified, charity is burning and spread abroad.
O my God the defender of my soul and the repairer of the weakness of man and the sender of all inward comfort, thou hast given and daily givest unto thy well beloved friends in this holy sacrament devoutly receiving it many advantages. For thou infusest into their souls great com- fort against divers tribulations and from the depth of their own overthrowing thou arisest them to the hope of thy divine help. And with a new grace thou inwardly renewest and lightenest them in such wise that though they feel before the receiving of the sacrament heavy and dull and overthrown and without affection and moisture, of devotion after that they have been fed with this heavenly meat and drink they have found them- selves changed with a marvellous joy: which things thou dost unto thy chosen people by dispensation of thy pure bounty so that they may truly know by open experience that they have nor may have nothing of themselves; and what grace or goodness they have, it cometh of thee.
For of themselves they be cold, hard and undevout but of 292 Thomas & Kempis thee they be made fervent, joyous and devout: for who is he that cometh meekly unto the fountain of sweet- ness and shall not bring some little quantity of sweet- ness therefrom?
I shall alway put my mouth unto the hole of the heavenly pipe of that fountain so that I may at the least take a little drop to satisfy my thirst, so that I be not all dry; and though I may not be heavenly inflamed as the cher- ubim and seraphim yet will I enforce me to devotion and prepare my heart meekly to receive this holy loving sacra- ment and shall desire to be embraced with a little flame of that goodly love.
O good Jesu, holy and right piteous saviour, whatsoever virtue or goodness faileth in me I benignly beseech thee gra- ciously of thy pity to supply it by thy great mercy. Thou that hast called all faithful creatures in saying unto them: Come ye all unto me that labour and be charged and I shall refresh you.
But alas, good Lord, I poor sinner labour hi the sweat of my visage and am tormented with sorrow of heart. I am charged with sins and travailed with temptations, en- tricked and oppressed with many evil passions. And, Lord, there is none that may deliver me or make me safe but thou, my only God and saviour, to whom I commit me and all my causes to the end thou keep me and lead me to the life eternal.
Receive me unto the praise of thy name that hast made ready unto me thy precious body and blood for meat and drink. My Lord God and saviour grant unto me by thy great bounty that in customable (accustomed) receiving of thy holy mystery the affection and desire of my devotion may be increased.
The Imitation of Christ 293 CHAPTER V OF THE DIGNITY OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR AND OF THE ORDER OF PRIESTHOOD IF THOU hadst the purity of angels and the holiness of Saint John Baptist, thou shouldst not be worthy to receive or treat of that holy sacrament: for that is not due to the merits of men that a man should consecrate and treat of the sacrament of this blessed body of Jesu Christ and take in meat the bread of angels.
O the great mystery and the marvellous dignity of priests unto whom is given that that is not granted unto the angels. For the priests only, duly ordered in the church of Christ, have power to do and to consecrate the holy body of Jesu Christ. Certainly the priest is the minister of God using the word of God by the commandment and ordinance of God.
But God is the principal and invisible worker to whom be submitted all creatures to be ordered after his will and all to obey his commandment. Then thou oughtest more to believe in almighty God and in that right excellent sacrament than in thine own will or any other visible token: And therefore to this holy work thou oughtest to come with great dread and reverence.
Take good heed then and see from whom this mystery is given unto thee and that is by the putting to of the hands of the Bishop thou art admitted unto that high room. Be- hold now thou art made a priest and consecrated to do this holy mystery. See then that faithfully and devoutly and in due time thou offer thy sacrifices unto God and show thyself irreprovable and without fault.
Thou hast not loosed thy charge (lightened thy burden) of living but hast bound thee with a more strait bond of discipline and art holden to a more great perfection of holiness. Also the priest ought to be adorned with all 294 Thomas d Kempis virtues and to give to all their example of good and holy life.
His conversation ought not to be with common people or the ways of common men but with the angels in heaven or with the perfect men in the earth. The priest clothed with holy vestments occupieth the room of our Lord Jesu Christ to the end that he may right humbly pray unto God for himself and also for all others. For he hath both before him and behind him the very sign of the cross that he may continually remember the passion of our Lord Jesu Christ. Before him he beareth the cross to the end that he may diligently behold the traces and the example of our Lord Jesu Christ and that he may fervently study to follow them. Behind him also he is signed with the cross to the intent he should suffer for the honour of God all adversities and injuries done unto hirq. of other. Be- fore him he beareth the cross for that he should bewail properly his sins; and behind him likewise to sorrow with great compassion for the sins of others and to know himself that he is a man between God and the sinner: And that he should depart not from orison and from that holy oblation till he deserves to purchase the grace of God. When the priest saith mass he honoureth God, he giveth joy unto the angels, he edifieth the church, he helpeth the loving people, he giveth rest to them that be passed and maketh himself partner of all good works.
CHAPTER VI CHAPTER VI AN INWARD REMEMBRANCE AND EXERCISE THAT A MAN OUGHT TO HAVE AFORE THE RECEIVING OF THE BODY OF OUR LORD JESU CHRIST LORD when I think of thy worthiness and of my great filthiness I tremble strongly and am confounded in myself. For if I receive thee not I flee the eternal life and if I unworthily The Imitation of Christ 295 receive thee I run into thy wrath. What shall I then do, my good Lord, my helper, protector, comforter, and right sure counsellor hi all mine infirmities and necessities? Teach me good Lord thy right way, and purpose unto me some exercise fit to the receiving of this holy mystery. For it is necessary unto me and greatly profitable to know how devoutly and reverently I ought to prepare my heart to receive this holy sacrament or to make so goodly sacrifice.
CHAPTER VII THE REMEMBERING OF HIS OWN CONSCIENCE WITH PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT THE priest above all things ought to desire with sovereign reverence and profound meekness of heart, full and firm faith, humble hope and piteous (pious) intent to the honour of God to celebrate, take and receive this worthy sacrament, to examine diligently and make clear and open the conscience by true contrition and make con- fession as far as he hath power, so that thou know noth- ing that grieves thee or bites thy said conscience or lets (hinders) thee freely to come unto the same daily.
To have displeasure of all thy sins in general and for thine excesses and sins thou oughtest to have sighing and sor- row more special. And if the time suffer it confess unto God in secret of thy heart the miseries of all thy passions, weep and have sorrow that thou art yet so carnal and worldly and so ill mortified from thy passions, so full of motions and lusts, so ill composed and ordered in thy outward wits, so often applied unto vain fantasies, so much inclined unto outward things, so negligent in the inward spiritual things, so ready to laughter and to all dissolution, so hard to weep and to compunction, so ready to follow the loose manner and the pleasures of the flesh, so slow and dull to the fervour of virtue, so curious to 296 Thomas d Kempis 296 Thomas d Kempis behold and to hear new fair things, so negligent and loath to learn and desire things that be meek and abject, so covetous to receive and possess many goods, and so scarce (sparing) to give them and glad to hold and retain them, so evil advised in speaking and so incontinent to be still, so unordered in manners, so importune in thy deeds, so greedy and so quick in thy meat, so deaf unto the word of God, so ready to rest, so unhasty to labour, so waking to fables, so sleepy to holy vigils, so negligent unto the service of God, so speedy to the end thereof, so wavering to take heed, so cold in devotion in the time of the mass, so dry in receiving of the sacrament, so soon withdrawn, so seldom well gathered unto thyself, so suddenly moved unto wrath, so easily stirred to the displeasure of others, so hasty to judge, so rough in reproving, so joyous in prosperity, so weak in adversity, so often purposing many good things and bringing little to effect.
These and other thy defaults with sorrow and great displeas- ure of thine own frailty must be confessed and sorrow- fully be wept. Set thee then with full purpose always to amend thyself and to perfect thee from better unto bet- ter; and, after, offer thyself with plain resignation and entire will to the honour of my name a perpetual sacri- fice within the altar of thine heart.
Then, thy soul and body commit faithfully unto me, that thou so may deserve worthily to come and offer thy sacri- fice to God and to receive the sacrament of my body healthfully. For no oblation is more worthy and no satis- faction can be so great for to deface the sins of man as to offer himself to God purely and entirely with the oblation of the holy body of Christ Jesu in the mass and the holy communion.
Ai id they who ever shall do as much as lieth in them and have true repentance of their offences past, as oft as they shall come unto me, they shall recover pardon and grace.
I am Life and will not the death of a sinner, but rather will that he return and live again. And then will I no more The Imitation oj Christ 297 remember his sins and trespass but all shall be forgiven and pardoned unto him.
CHAPTER VIII OF THE OBLATION OF JESU CHRIST ON THE CROSS; OF THB PROPER RESIGNATION THAT MAN SHOULD MAKE OF HIMSEL* O MAN, as I did offer myself and my free-will unto God my father, my hands spread on the cross, and my body naked for thy sins; insomuch that nothing remained in me, but all passed in sacrifice to appease His wrath, in like wise thou oughtest to offer unto me willingly thyself in pure oblation daily in the mass with all thine affections and strengths, as profoundly and fervently as thou mayest.
What ask I of thee more but that thou study to resign thyself unto me entirely? What thing so ever thou givest me else I care not for.
For I demand not thy gifts but only thyself.
As nothing should suffice thee without me, likewise nothing may please me what soever thou shalt give if thou offer not thyself to me.
Offer thee then, give thee wholly unto me: and that oblation shall be acceptable.
Behold I did offer myself wholly unto my father for thee, and for thee I did give all my body and blood, to the end that I should be all wholly thine, and thou mine also.
But and if thou rest in thyself and present thee not with good will unto me then there is no full oblation neither entire perfect union between us; for the free oblation of thyself into the hands of almighty God ought to go before all thy works, if thou wouldst obtain liberty and grace.
And the lack of this is the cause that so few folk be illumined and have inward liberty, for they cannot renounce them- selves.
Thomas d Kempis My sentence is firm and stable, that none may be my disciple, without he renounceth all that he hath. Then if thou desire to be my disciple offer thyself unto me with all thine affection.
CHAPTER IX THAT WE OUGHT TO OFFER UNTO GOD ALL THAT WE HAVE; AND TO PRAY FOR ALL PEOPLE LORD, all things that be in heaven and in earth be thine, and my willing desire is to offer me unto thee perpetually in oblation, so that I may be thine everlastingly.
And this day, good Lord, I offer unto thee myself perpetually for ever more to be thy servant with my heart and soul fully to continue. I beseech thee receive this holy oblation of me that am unworthy to offer me unto thy precious body in the presence of angels assisting invisible, to the end that it may be to the health of one and all thy people. Lord I also offer unto thee all my sins which I have com- mitted before thee and thy holy angels since the first day I began or in any wise might sin unto this present day. And I beseech thee to inflame me with the burning fire of charity and to deface and put away all the conditions of my sins. Cleanse my conscience from all sin and restore it unto thy grace which by sin I have lost. And perfectly pardon me of all mine offences that I may receive per- fectly the sweet kiss of peace. What can I do more for my sins but meekly confess them with sorrowful weeping and incessantly praying to thee of thy piteous mercy?
I beseech thee Lord exalt me and be ready unto me when I am before thee. O my good Lord greatly all my sins dis- please me and by thy grace I will never begin them again; but ever shall have sorrow for them as long as I shall live and shall be ready to do penance and make satisfaction to the best of my little power. Wherefore now The Imitation of Christ 299 good Lord pardon me of my great and abominable sins and for the honour of thy holy name save my soul which thou hast dearly bought with thy most precious blood. And I commit me good Lord unto thy great mercy and resign me wholly unto thy hands. Do with me Lord after thy bounty and not after my malice and iniquity.
Also I offer unto thee all my deeds that I have done albeit they be full few and imperfect that thou mayst sanctify and amend them as they be agreeable and acceptable unto thee. And always good Lord draw me from better to better and conduct and lead me slothful and unworthy sinner unto a good and lawful end.
In like wise I offer unto thee the desires of all devout persons, the necessities of my kinsfolk and friends and of all them that have done me good or be dear unto me and all other for thy love, and they that have desired or required me to make sacrifice for their friends, living or past the world, so that they may feel help, Consolation, Defence, and Preservation from all perils, and deliverance of pains by thy grace so that they may yield unto thee joy and gladness with magnifying and praise for their deliverance.
I offer unto thee also prayer and holy oblations for all them specially that have caused unto me heaviness, hurt, or any manner of damage; and likewise for them that I have troubled, grieved, vexed or slandered in words or deeds, knowingly or ignorantly, to the end, blessed Lord, that we all may be pardoned of our offences done the one against the other. And good Lord Jesu take from our heart all suspicion, wrath and indignation, and all that may break or let (hinder) charity, or diminish us from thine eternal love.
O Lord, have pity; blessed Jesu, have pity; and give thy mercy unto all them that ask it and thy grace unto them that have need. And make us so worthy to have thy grace that we may go unto the life eternal. Amen.
3OO Thomas & Kempis CHAPTER X THAT THE HOLY SACRAMENT OUGHT NOT LIGHTLY TO BE FORBORNE IT BEHOVETH thec of ten to return unto the fountain of grace, mercy, bounty, pity and purity that thou mayst be cleansed from thy vices and passions, so that thou mayst be made more strong and waking against all temptations and subtle crafts of the fiend.
For thine enemy knowing the great fruit and remedy in re- ceiving of this holy sacrament, striveth, by all manner of occasions that he may, to draw thee unto him again and hindereth the faithful and devout people when any dispose them to the receiving of this holy communion.
The enemy, Satan, putteth to them the most grievous tempta- tions that he may. Also, it is written in the history of Job, this evil spirit cometh among the children of God to the end that by his cursed custom he perturbeth, per- plexeth and maketh them fearful, diminishing their af- fection and impugning them of their faith, so that per- adventure they leave their good purpose in respect of that holy body which they at that time come for to receive.
But we should take no thought nor fear of the crafty wiles of that false enemy that be so foul and horrible, but all such fantasies we should cast again at the head of that wicked spirit.
It is a poor mischievous spirit, that so letteth (hindereth) and mocketh us; and for any assaults or commotions that he exciteth, this holy sacrament ought not to be left.
Also oftentimes too great solicitude for devotion hindereth us, and sometimes seriousness about the confession to be made. But do after the counsel of the wise and take away this anxiety and stryple (scruple): for it hindereth the grace of God and destroyeth devotion.
The Imitation of Christ 301 And leave not the holy receiving of Jesu Christ for little tribu- lation, dejection or faint heart; but with good will go to the confessor, and pardon all other that have offended thee; and if thou have offended any other, meekly ask forgiveness. And then dread not but God will pardon thee.
What profiteth it long to tarry from confession or to defer the receiving of thy blessed saviour? First purge thee and cast out the venom and then haste thee to take the remedy, and thou shalt feel the much better than if thou hadst deferred it.
For if thou this day leave the holy receiving for coldness of devotion and feebleness of mind, peradventure to-morrow thou shalt find thyself more slack, and withdraw so long that thou shalt find thyself much worse and more unable.
Then as soon as thou mayst take away this feebleness of mind and the spice (species) of sloth; for to be always only in anguish and heaviness for thy sin, passing the time in tribulation and because of daily obstacles and imper- fections to withdraw thee from these divine mysteries without turning unto the pitiful merit of our saviour Christ Jesu, this profiteth thee not.
But the long tarrying to receive thy saviour annoyeth thee greatly and maketh thee slow and shall bring daily unto thee a greater slothfulness.
But, alas for sorrow, some cold and desolate persons gladly seek reasons for tarrying from confession and from the receiving of this holy sacrament; because they covet many delays lest they shall be bound to give themselves to a stricter manner in the ordering of their life.
Alas how little charity and how slender devotion have they that put away so easily the receiving of this holy sacra- ment.
O how happy be they and agreeable unto almighty God who lead so holy a life that they keep their conscience in clean and pure fear, so that they may daily dispose themselves and make them ready and with great affec- 302 Thomas d Kempis tion desire to receive that holy sacrament at all times, if it were lawful.
Nevertheless sometimes by meekness to abstain or for other lawful causes that may hinder reverence, this is to be praised.
But if sloth or negligence keep him back he ought to endeavour himself as far as in him is, and our Lord shall be present to his desire and will specially behold his good will; but when he is lawfully hindered and have a good will and pious mind to receive his maker, he shall not fail to have the fruit of that blessed sacrament.
For every person with perfect devotion may every day receive that holy sacrament spiritually to his health and with- out prohibition; and in certain times and days estab- lished he ought to receive the body of his saviour with effectual reverence sacramen tally; and to seek and do it more to the praise and honour of God almighty than to his own consolation.
For as often as he spiritually is communed and refreshed in- visibly so often he remembreth devoutly the mystery of the incarnation of Christ and his painful passion and is kindled in love of him; he that otherwise prepareth not himself except at the time of a great feast or else when compelled by custom he shall oftentimes be full unready.
Blessed is he that offers himself unto almighty God as of t as he doth the mass or else receives this honourable sacra- ment.
And in doing this mystery, tarry not nor be too hasty but keep the common manner with such as thou livest among. Thou oughtest not to do so that the hearers thereof take grief or irksomeness but keep the common way after the ordinances of the holy fathers. And rather conform thee to the profit of others than to thine own devotion or private pleasure.
The Imitation of Christ 303 CHAPTER XI HOW THE BLESSED BODY OF OUR LORD JESU CHRIST IS GREATLY NECESSARY FOR THE HEALTH OF MAN'S SOUL RIGHT sweet Jesu how great consolation and sweetness is it to a devout soul to eat with thee at thy dinner where none other meat is given but thyself which art the only lover and oughtest to be desired above all desires of man's heart: and how sweet a thing should it be in thy pres- ence from the bottom of the heart to send out tears, to dew and wash thy precious feet with the piteous Mag- dalen. But where is that devotion or the plenteous effu- sion of holy tears?
Certainly in beholding thee with thy holy angels all my heart ought to burn and weep with joy: for I have verily thee present, though thou be hid under a strange likeness, for mine eyes may not suffer to behold thee in thy proper and godly clearness: nor might all the world abide to behold the clearness of thy joy and majesty.
Wherefore, good Lord, thou helpest my weakness in that it pleaseth thee to cover thyself under the form of that holy sacrament.
1 verily worship thee whom the angels worship in heaven, but in me it is as yet but in faith and the angels worship thee there in thine own likeness without coverture.
I must be content with true faith and so walk till the day come of eternal clearness when the shadow of figures shall vanish; for when that perfect day shall come the usage of this holy sacrament shall cease.
For they that be blessed in heavenly joy shall have no need of any sacramental medicine: for they shall joy with- out end in the presence of God, seeing him in his glory face to face and shall be transformed from clearness unto clearness with the Godhead incomprehensible: they shall 304 Thomas d Kempis taste the son of God made man as he was from the be- ginning and shall be everlastingly.
I then remembering me of the great marvels and solace though it be spiritual, it is to me grievous when I remember those marvels. For all things that I hear or see in this world I count as nothing so long as I see not my Lord God in his glory.
Lord God, thou art my witness that nothing can give me com- fort nor no creature may give me rest but thou my Lord God whom I desire eternally to behold.
But that is a thing to me not possible while that I am in this mortal life; wherefore it behoveth me with great patience to order myself and meekly to submit me unto thee in all my desires.
Good Lord, the saints that now joy with thee in the kingdom of heaven abode the coming of the joy with great faith and patience as long as they lived.
I believe the same that they did believe, and hope as they have hoped, and trust by the means of thy grace to come thither as they now be.
In the meanwhile I shall in good and fast faith be comforted by examples of holy saints. Also I have full virtuous and holy books for the consolation and mirror of my life and also above all these things thy sacred body for my singular refuge and remedy. I feel that two things be unto me right necessary without which this miserable life should be unto me inportable. For as long as I shall be holden in this present body I confess me to have need of two things, that is to know (say) of meat and light.
But therefore thou hast given unto me which am poor and sick thy holy body to the refreshing of my soul and body, and also thou hast put before my faith the light of thy holy word; and without these two things I may not well live spiritually; for thy word, my Lord and God, is the light of my soul and the holy sacrament is the bread of my life.
These two things so necessary may also be called the tables The Imitation of Christ 305 set on either side in the treasury of holy church; the one table is of the holy altar having this lovely bread, that is to say, the precious body of Jesu Christ; the other is the law of God containing the holy doctrine and show- ing the right faith and surely guiding me unto the in- ward sacrifice where are the holy jewels called Sancta Sanctorum (Holy of Holies).