The follovving of Christ. Deuided into foure bookes. Written in Latin by the learned and deuout man Thomas a Kempis chanon-regular of the Order of S. Augustine. And translated into English by B. F.

CHAP. VII. That grace is to be hid vnder the veile of humility.

SONNE† it is more profitable, & safe for thee to hide the grace of deuotion, not to extoll thy selfe, nor to speake much, nor to esteeme much therof; but rather to despise thy selfe, and feare it, as giuen to one vnworthy therof. This affecti∣on is not to be cleaued vnto, which may be quickly changed into the contrary. Thinke when thou art in grace, how miserable and needy thou art wont to be without it? Nei∣ther doth therin only consist the pro∣fit of spirituall life, when thou hast the grace of comfort; but when thou humbly, resignedly, and patiently sufferest the withdrawing therof: so that thou be not then lesse diligent in the exercise of prayer, nor suffer thy selfe to passe ouer the rest of thy accustomed good works: but that thou willingly performe what lieth in thee, according as thou art able &

vnderstandest to be fit: not negle∣cting thyself wholy for the drinesse, and trouble of mind, which thou feelest.

2. There are many that when it succeedeth not well with them, pre∣sently they become impatient or slouthful. The way of man is not al∣waies in his power, but it belongeth to God, to giue, and to comfort when he will, how much he will, & whome he will, as it shall please him and no more. Some vnaduised per∣sons haue ouerthrowne themselues for the greedy desire which they had of the grace of deuotion: attempting more then they were able to per∣forme, not waighing the measure of their weaknes, but following rather the desire of their hart, then the iudg∣ment of reason. And because they presumed on greater matters then was pleasing to God, they quickly lost their grace. They were made needy, and left in a deiected estate that built themselues nestes in hea∣uen: to the end that being humbled, and impouerished, they may learne not to fly with their owne wings, but

to liue in hope vnder my fethers. They that are yet new, and vnac∣quainted in the way of our Lord, vnles they gouerne themselues by the counsaile of discreet persons, may easily be deceaued and ouer throwne.

3. And if they will rather follow their owne iudgment, then giue cre∣dit to others that are experienced, their end will be dangerous, if they cannot be drawne from their owne conceipt. Seldome those that are wise in their owne opinion, suffer themselues humbly to be gouerned by others. A little knowledg with humility, and a slender vnderstan∣ding, is better then great treasures of learning with a vaine selfe-liking. It is better for thee to haue lesse, then much of that wherof thou maist be proud. He doth not discreetly, that wholy giueth himself ouer to mirth, forgetting his former pouerty, and the chast feare of God, which fea∣reth to loose the grace which he hath obteyned. Neither is he vertuously wise, that in time of aduersity or a∣ny tribulation whatsoeuer, yeil∣deth

to despairing thoughts, and thinketh and imagineth of me lesse confidently then he ought.

4. He that will be ouer secure in time of peace, shall be often found in time of warre too deiected and fearfull. If thou couldest alwaies continue humble, and lowly with∣in thy selfe, and temper, & gouerne thy soule well, thou shouldest not so soone fall into danger and offence. It is good counsell, that when thou conceauest feruour of spirit, thou shouldest thinke what will become of thee, when that light shal leaue thee. And when that doth happen, remember the light may returne a∣gaine, which for thy instruction and my glory I haue withdrawne for a time.

5. Such proofe is often more profitable, then if thou shouldest al∣waies enioy prosperity according to thy desire. For merits are not to be waighed in a man by the number of visions and comforts which he hath, or by his knowledg in Scrip∣tures, or by his being placed in high degree: but in that he is grounded in

true humility, and replenished with diuine charity: if he alwaies purely & entirely seeke the honour of God, if he esteeme himselfe nothing, and with a sincere hart despise himselfe, and reioyce more to be despised and humbled by others, then to be ho∣noured.

Notes

• †

  Our Lord.
• Hierem. 10. & Rom. 9.
• Esa. 14.
• Psal. 15. & 16.
• 1. Thess. 5.
• Iob. 17.
• Ps. 83.