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The Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis
The Seventh Chapter
GRACE MUST BE HIDDEN UNDER THE MANTLE OF HUMILITY
THE VOICE OF CHRIST
IT IS better and safer for you to conceal the grace of devotion, not to be
elated by it, not to speak or think much of it, and instead to humble yourself
and fear lest it is being given to one unworthy of it. Do not cling too closely
to this affection, for it may quickly be changed to its opposite. When you are
in grace, think how miserable and needy you are without it. Your progress in
spiritual life does not consist in having the grace of consolation, but in
enduring its withdrawal with humility, resignation, and patience, so that you
neither become listless in prayer nor neglect your other duties in the least;
but on the contrary do what you can do as well as you know how, and do not
neglect yourself completely because of your dryness or anxiety of mind.
There are many, indeed, who immediately become impatient and lazy when things do
not go well with them. The way of man, however, does not always lie in his own
power. It is God's prerogative to give grace and to console when He wishes, as
much as He wishes, and whom He wishes, as it shall please Him and no more.
Some careless persons, misusing the grace of devotion, have destroyed themselves
because they wished to do more than they were able. They failed to take account
of their own weakness, and followed the desire of their heart rather than the
judgment of their reason. Then, because they presumed to greater things than
pleased God they quickly lost His grace. They who had built their homes in
heaven became helpless, vile outcasts, humbled and impoverished, that they might
learn not to fly with their own wings but to trust in Mine.
They who are still new and inexperienced in the way of the Lord may easily be
deceived and overthrown unless they guide themselves by the advice of discreet
persons. But if they wish to follow their own notions rather than to trust in
others who are more experienced, they will be in danger of a sorry end, at least
if they are unwilling to be drawn from their vanity. Seldom do they who are wise
in their own conceits bear humbly the guidance of others. Yet a little knowledge
humbly and meekly pursued is better than great treasures of learning sought in
vain complacency. It is better for you to have little than to have much which
may become the source of pride.
He who gives himself up entirely to enjoyment acts very unwisely, for he forgets
his former helplessness and that chastened fear of the Lord which dreads to lose
a proffered grace. Nor is he very brave or wise who becomes too despondent in
times of adversity and difficulty and thinks less confidently of Me than he
should. He who wishes to be too secure in time of peace will often become too
dejected and fearful in time of trial.
If you were wise enough to remain always humble and small in your own eyes, and
to restrain and rule your spirit well, you would not fall so quickly into danger
and offense.
When a spirit of fervor is enkindled within you, you may well meditate on how
you will feel when the fervor leaves. Then, when this happens, remember that the
light which I have withdrawn for a time as a warning to you and for My own glory
may again return. Such trials are often more beneficial than if you had things
always as you wish. For a man's merits are not measured by many visions or
consolations, or by knowledge of the Scriptures, or by his being in a higher
position than others, but by the truth of his humility, by his capacity for
divine charity, by his constancy in seeking purely and entirely the honor of
God, by his disregard and positive contempt of self, and more, by preferring to
be despised and humiliated rather than honored by others.
