Chapter 29. How when tribulation comes we must call upon and bless God (Book 3. On Inward Consolation as a Gift of God) (The Imitation of Christ) (a-Kempis, Thomas)

1. Blessed be your name, O Lord, for evermore, who have willed this temptation and trouble to come upon me. I cannot escape it, but have need to flee to You, that You may succour me and turn it to me for good. Lord, now am I in tribulation, and it is not well within my heart, but I am sore vexed by the suffering which lies upon me. And now, O dear Father, what shall I say? I am taken among the snares. Save me from this hour, but for this cause came I to this hour, that You might be glorified when I am deeply humbled and am delivered through You. Let it be Your pleasure to deliver me; for what can I do who am poor, and without You whither shall I go? Give patience this time also. Help me, O Lord my God, and I will not fear how much soever I be weighed down.

2. And now amid these things what shall I say? Lord, Your will be done. I have well deserved to be troubled and weighed down. Therefore I ought to bear, would that it be with patience, until the tempest be past and comfort return. Yet is Your omnipotent arm able also to take this temptation away from me, and to lessen its power that I fall not utterly under it, even as many a time past you has helped me, O God, my merciful God. And as much as this deliverance is difficult to me, so much is it easy to You, O right hand of the most Highest.

John xii. 27. Psalm xl. 16.