Chapter 13. Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example ... (Book 3. On Inward Consolation as a Gift of God) (The Imitation of Christ) (a-Kempis, Thomas)

1. "My Son, he who strivs to withdraw himself from obedience, withdraws himself also from grace, and he who seeks private advantages, loss those which are common to all. If a man submit not freely and willingly to one set over him, it is a sign that his flesh is not yet perfectly subject to himself, but often resists and murmurs. Learn therefore quickly to submit yourself to him who is over you, if you seek to bring your own flesh into subjection. For the outward enemy is very quickly overcome if the inner man have not been laid low. There is no more grievous and deadly enemy to the soul than you are to yourself, if you are not led by the Spirit. You must not altogether conceive contempt for yourself, if you want to prevail against flesh and blood. Because as yet you inordinately love yourself, therefore you shrinkest from yielding yourself to the will of others.

2. "But what great thing is it that you, who are dust and nothingness, yield yourself to man for God's sake, when I, the Almighty and the Most High, who created all things out of nothing, subjected Myself to man for your sake? I became the most humble and despised of men, that by My humility you might overcome your pride. Learn to obey, O dust! Learn to humble yourself, O earth and clay, and to bow yourself beneath the feet of all. Learn to crush your passions, and to yield yourself in all subjection.

3. "Be zealous against yourself, nor suffer pride to live within you, but so show yourself subject and of no reputation, that all may be able to walk over you, and tread you down as the clay in the streets. What have you, O foolish man, of which to complain? What, O vile sinner, can you answer those who speak against you, seeing you have so often offended God, and many a time have deserved hell? But Mine eye has spared you, because your soul was precious in My sight; that you might know My love, and might be thankful for My benefits; and that you might give yourself altogether to true subjection and humility, and patiently bear the contempt which you meritest."