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The Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis
The Second Chapter
TRUTH SPEAKS INWARDLY WITHOUT THE SOUND OF WORDS
THE DISCIPLE
SPEAK, Lord, for Thy servant heareth." "I am Thy servant. Give me
understanding that I may know Thine ordinances . . . Incline my heart to
Thine ordinances . . . Let Thy speech distil as the dew."
The children of Israel once said to Moses: "Speak thou to us and we will hear
thee: let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die."
Not so, Lord, not so do I pray. Rather with Samuel the prophet I entreat humbly
and earnestly: "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth." Do not let Moses or any
of the prophets speak to me; but You speak, O Lord God, Who inspired and
enlightened all the prophets; for You alone, without them, can instruct me
perfectly, whereas they, without You, can do nothing. They, indeed, utter fine
words, but they cannot impart the spirit. They do indeed speak beautifully, but
if You remain silent they cannot inflame the heart. They deliver the message;
You lay bare the sense. They place before us mysteries, but You unlock their
meaning. They proclaim commandments; You help us to keep them. They point out
the way; You give strength for the journey. They work only outwardly; You
instruct and enlighten our hearts. They water on the outside; You give the
increase.
They cry out words; You give understanding to the hearer.
Let not Moses speak to me, therefore, but You, the Lord my God, everlasting
truth, speak lest I die and prove barren if I am merely given outward advice and
am not inflamed within; lest the word heard and not kept, known and not loved,
believed and not obeyed, rise up in judgment against me.
Speak, therefore, Lord, for Your servant listens. "Thou hast the words of
eternal life." Speak to me for the comfort of my soul and for the amendment
of my life, for Your praise, Your glory, and Your everlasting honor.
