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Show r .o....... , IMITATION OF CHRIST. CHAPTED XXX. Son, I am the Lord, who giveth strength in the day of tribulation. Come to Me when it is not well with j thee. This is that which most of all hindereth heavenly comfort, that thou art. too slow in taking thyself to prayer. Far before thou earnestly prayed to Me, thou seekest in the meantime many comforts, and delightest thyself in outward thinss. And hence it comes that all things avail thee little, till thou consider well that I am He who delivereth those that trust in Me; nor is there out of Me any powerful help, nor profitable counsel, nor lasting remedy. But now having recovered thy spirit after the storm, grow thou strong again, in the light of My mercies; for I am on hand, saith the Lord, to repair all, not only "to the full but even with abundance and above measure. Is anything difficult to fie? Or shall I be like one promising and not performing? per-forming? Where is thy faith? Stand firmly and perseveringly; practice endurance and manly courage; comfort will come to thee in due season. Wait for Me, wait; I will come and cure thee. It is a temptation that i troubleth thee, and a vain fear that affrigtheth thee. AVhat doth the solicitude about the future bring thee but only sorrow upon sorrow? Suflicient to the day is the evil thereof. It is vain and useless to conceive either grief or Joy for future things, which will never come to ;ass. Let nt, therefore your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Be- l'ieve thou in Me, and trust in My mercy. When thou thinkest I am far from thee, I am often nearest thee. Think not thyself wholly forsaken If for a time I send thee some tribulation, or withdraw from thee thy consolation; consola-tion; for this is the way to the kingdom of heaven. If I send thee aifliction and adversity, repine not. neither let thine heart be cast down. I can quickly raise thee up again, and turn thy burden bur-den Into joy. Nevertheless, I am just, and greatly to be praised, when I thus deal with thee, If thou thinkest rirhtly, and con-Piderest con-Piderest things in truth, thou oughtest never to be so much dejected and troubled at adversity. But thou shouidst rather rejoice and give thanks, yea. account this a special subject of joy, that afflicting those with sorrow I do not spare thee. "As the Father hath loved Me. I also love you," said I to my beloved disciples; dis-ciples; whom certainly I did not send to temporal joys, but to great conflicts: not to honor, but to contempt; not to idleness, but to labors; not to rest, but to bring forth much fruit in patience. Remember thou these words, O, My son. |