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Imitation of Christ,
by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 13, cont.
Fire tries iron,
and temptation a just man. We often know not what we are able to do, but
temptations discover what we are. Still, we must watch, especially in the
beginning of temptation; for then the enemy is more easily overcome, if he
be not suffered to enter the door of the mind, but is withstood upon the
threshold the very moment he knocks. Whence a certain one has said "Resist
beginnings; all too late the cure." When ills have gathered strength, by
long delay, first there comes from the mind a simple thought; then a strong
imagination, afterwards delight, and the evil motion and consent and so,
little by little the fiend does gain entrance, when he is not resisted in
the beginning. The longer anyone has been slothful in resisting, so much
the weaker he becomes, daily in himself, and the enemy, so much the stronger
in him. Some suffer grievous temptations in the beginning of their conversion,
others in the end and others are troubled nearly their whole life. Some are
very lightly tempted, according to the wisdom and the equity of the ordinance
of God who weighs man's condition and merits, and pre-ordaineth all things
for the salvation of His elect. We must not, therefore, despair when we are
tempted, but the more fervently pray to God to help us in every tribulation:
Who, of a truth, according to the sayings of St. Paul, will make such issue
with the temptation, that we are able to sustain it.
Let us then humble our souls under the hand of God in every temptation and
tribulation, for the humble in spirit, He will save and exalt. In temptation
and tribulations, it is proved what progress man has made; and there also
is great merit, and virtue is made more manifest.
Prayers
for the 12-Day Preparatory Period |
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