Of the imitation of Christ, three, both for wisedome, and godlines, most excellent bookes; made 170. yeeres since by one Thomas of Kempis, and for the worthines thereof oft since translated out of Latine into sundrie languages by diuers godlie and learned men: now newlie corrected, translated, and with most ample textes, and sentences of holie Scripture illustrated by Thomas Rogers

Chap. 15. Of obedience to our betters, after the example of Christ.

LORD.

SOnne, he that with∣draweth himselfe from obediēce, driueth him∣selfe out of Gods fauor a 1.1: and he that seeketh priuate, forgoeth publike things.

He which gladlie, and voluntari∣lie b 1.2 obeieth not his better, showeth plainelie therebie, that he hath not yet brought his flesh in subiection, but that it wincheth backward, and murmureth manie-times c 1.3.

Wherefore learne with al speede to submit thy selfe to thy superior d 1.4, if thou desire to tame thy flesh e 1.5. For the outward enimie is the more easi∣lie ouercome, if the inner man be sure, and strong f 1.6.

Thou hast none so il, and troble∣some an enimie to thy soule, as thy selfe, if thou be out with the spirit g 1.7. For thou must vnfeinedlie contemne thy selfe, if thou wilt be master ouer blood, and flesh. But forasmuch as thou louest thy selfe as yet immode∣ratelie,

thou abhorrest to commit thy selfe who lie to the wil of another h 1.8.

But, O earth & ashes i 1.9, what great thing doest thou, if for the Lordes sake thou obeie man k 1.10; when I the Almightie and most Hie, who of no∣thing created al things l 1.11, submitted my self humblie to man for thy sake, and was most vile & contemptible m 1.12, that thou by mine humilitie migh∣test ouercome that pride of thine n 1.13?

Learne to obeie, O dust o 1.14; learne to bring downe thy selfe, O earth, & slime p 1.15, and to throwe downe thy selfe vnder al mens feete. Learne, I saie, to breake thy wil, and humblie to submit thy selfe to al q 1.16. Waxe hot against thy selfe, and suffer not pride to haue place within thee: but showe thy selfe so lowlie, and simple, that al maie treade thee vnder feete like myre in the streetes r 1.17.

What hast thou, O vaine man, to complaine? How canst thou, O wic∣ked wretch, speake againe to them which dispraise thee, seeing so often∣times by offending GOD thou hast deserued the paines of hel s 1.18? But I gratiouslie haue spared thee t 1.19 making no smal account of thy soule, that thou perceiuing this my loue to thee

wardes, mightest alwaies showe thy selfe thankeful for my benefits u 1.20, and euermore, being giuen to true obe∣dience, and modestie x 1.21, take it pati∣entlie when thou art contemned y 1.22.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Deut. 11, 1. Deut. 21, 18 19, &c.
• b 1.2

  Ephes. 6, 6 Coloss. 3, 22
• c 1.3

  Tit. 3, 1. 3.
• d 1.4

  1. Pet. 2, 13 14.
• e 1.5

  1. Pet 2, 11.
• f 1.6

  Matth. 26, verse. 41. Luk. 22, 40. 46.
• g 1.7

  Gal. 5, 16.
• h 1.8

  Luke. 9, vers. 23, &c.
• i 1.9

  Eccl. 10, 12
• k 1.10

  1. Pet. 2, verse. 13.
• l 1.11

  Col. 1, 16. Iohn. 1, 1. 2. 3.
• m 1.12

  Matt. 20, verse. 28. Philip. 2, 6. 7. 8.
• n 1.13

  Matth. 11, 29.
• o 1.14

  Eccles. 10, verse. 12. Gen. 3, 19.
• p 1.15

  Gen. 2, 7.
• q 1.16

  Eph 5, 21. 1. Pet. 2, 13,
• r 1.17

  Esai. 10, 6.
• s 1.18

  Matth. 18, verse. 21. 22, &c.
• t 1.19

  Rom. 2, 4. 1. Pet. 1, 3. 2. Pet. 3, 9.
• u 1.20

  Ps. 116, 12 13. 17.
• x 1.21

  1. Pet. 1, 17
• y 1.22

  1. Pet. 2, vers. 20, &c.