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. 53. That for the attainement of euerlasting life, al maner trobles must be endured.

LORD.

MY sonne, let neither trobles breake thee, nor aduersitie, sustai∣ned for my sake, throw thee downe: but com∣fort

and confirme thy selfe in al ex∣tremities with my promise a 1.1, who am able inough to giue thee most am∣ple, and infinite rewardes b 1.2.

Long thou shalt not labor here in this world c 1.3, neither be afflicted al∣waies. Hope a while longer d 1.4, and thou shal see a speedie dispatch of al euils, and the time wil shortlie come, when there shal be neither trobles, nor tumultes anie more e 1.5. Litle is it, & short, whatsoeuer by time com∣meth to an end.

Wherefore go to, as thou doest, la∣bor faithfullie in my vine-yard, I wil be thy reward f 1.6.

Write thou, meditate, sing, sigh, keepe silence, praie, suffer aduersitie with a couragious hart. For doubt∣les euerlasting felicitie deserueth al these, yea and greater conflictes g 1.7.

One daie, God knowes how soone, quietnes wil come, & then shal there be neither daie, neither night, as now there is, but light perpetual without end, brightnes infinite without com∣prehension, peace which neuer shal decaie, & quietnes which euermore shal last h 1.8. Then thou wilt not saie, O that I were deliuered from the bo∣die of this death i 1.9! neither crie out on

this wise k 1.10, Woe is me that I dwel so long in this world! For then both death shalbe destroied l 1.11, and salua∣tion shal appeare which neuer shal haue end m 1.12; there no anguish n 1.13, but blessed ioie, and sweete and virtuous companie shalbe.

Oh, didest thou behold the euer∣lasting crownes o 1.14, or the glorie, wherewith they, who in this worlde were contemned p 1.15, and thought not worthie to liue, do triumph withal: doubtles thou wouldest foorthwith debase thy selfe euen to the ground, and desire rather to be in subiection to al men, than to rule but one: thou wouldest not couet manie merie daies in this world q 1.16, but reioice in suffering trobles for the Name of God r 1.17; and thinke it great gaine to be contemned among men!

Now if thou couldest brooke these things, and let them sinke into thy minde, thou wouldest not once com∣plaine s 1.18. For be not al trobles to be sustained for eternal life sake t 1.19? or is it so smal a thing either to get, or to forgo the kingdome of heauen u 1.20?

Lift vp thine eies, man, vpon hea∣uen: behold with me how al my saincts, who haue past the sharp con∣flictes

of this world, reioice now x 1.21, how they now feele comfort, how they be where they would be, how they rest, and shal euer rest with me in the kingdome of my Father y 1.22!

Notes

• a 1.1

  1. Cor. 10, verse. 13.
• b 1.2

  Iam. 1, 17. Reuel. 2, 10. 23. 26. Reuel. 3, 5.
• c 1.3

  Hebr. 10, verse. 37.
• d 1.4

  Reu. 3, 11.
• e 1.5

  Reu. 7, 16 17. Reuel. 21, 4.
• f 1.6

  Matth. 20, verse. 8 Reu. 22, 12.
• g 1.7

  Rom. 8, 18
• h 1.8

  Esai. 60, 19 20. Reu. 21, 23 Reuel. 22, 5.
• i 1.9

  Rom. 7, 24
• k 1.10

  Ps. 120, 5. 6.
• l 1.11

  Hos. 13, 14 1. Cor. 15, 55
• m 1.12

  Reu. 20, 6. 14.
• n 1.13

  Reu. 21, 4.
• o 1.14

  Iam. 1, 12. Reue. 2, 10.
• p 1.15

  1. Cor 4, verse. 10. Heb. 11, 33. 34. 35.
• q 1.16

  Phil. 1, 23.
• r 1.17

  Acts. 5, 41.
• s 1.18

  Rom. 12, 12 2. Cor. 6, 4. 5. Iames. 1, 2. 3.
• t 1.19

  Rom. 8, 18 35. 36.
• u 1.20

  Mat. 6, 26,
• x 1.21

  Mat. 25, 21 23. 24. Luk. 16, 25. Luk. 23, 43
• y 1.22

  Reu. 7, 14. 15. 16. 17. Reu. 21, 4. 23. 24. 25.