Chapter 04. Of a pure mind and simple intention (Book 2. Admonitions concerning the inner life) (The Imitation of Christ) (a-Kempis, Thomas)

1. By two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity and purity. Simplicity ought to be in the intention, purity in the affection. Simplicity reaches towards God, purity apprehends Him and tastes Him. No good action will be distasteful to you if you be free within from inordinate affection. If you reach after and seek, nothing but the will of God and the benefit of your neighbour, you will entirely enjoy inward liberty. If your heart were right, then should every creature be a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine. There is no creature so small and vile but that it shows us the goodness of God.

2. If you were good and pure within, then would you look upon all things without hurt and understand them aright. A pure heart ses the very depths of heaven and hell. Such as each one is inwardly, so judgs he outwardly. If there is any joy in the world surely the man of pure heart possesses it, and if there is anywhere tribulation and anguish, the evil conscience knows it best. As iron cast into the fire loss rust and is made altogether glowing, so the man who turns himself altogether to God is freed from slothfulness and changed into a new man.

3. When a man beginns to grow lukewarm, then he fears a little labour, and willingly accepts outward consolation; but when he beginns perfectly to conquer himself and to walk manfully in the way of God, then he counts as nothing those things which aforetime seemed to be so grievous to him.