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The Following of Christ · Book III, Chapter XXXIX

That a man must not be over eager in his affairs.

From Thomas à Kempis, The Following of Christ, tr. Richard Challoner (15th ed., London: Keating, Brown and Co., 1819). Wording reflects its time. Public domain; the text is given word for word as printed.

1. Son, always commit thy cause to me; I will dispose well of it in due season. Wait for my disposal, and thou shalt find it will be for thy advantage.

2. Lord, I willingly commit all things to thee; for my care can profit little.

I wish I was not too much set upon future events; but offered myself with all readiness to thy divine pleasure.

3. My Son, oftentimes a man eagerly sets about a thing which he desires; but when he has obtained it, he begins to be of another mind: for our inclinations are not wont to continue long upon the same thing, but rather pass from one thing to another.

It is therefore a thing not of the least importance, to forsake one's self even in the least things.

4. A man's true progress consists in denying himself; and the man that has renounced himself is very much at liberty, and very safe.

But the old enemy, who opposes all that is good, fails not to tempt; but day and night lays his dangerous plots to withdraw the unwary into his deceitful snare. Watch and pray, saith the Lord, that ye enter not into temptation. Matt. xxvi.

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