# Of the Imitation of Christ/Book II/Chapter IX

CHAPTER IX.
OF THE WANT OF ALL COMFORT.
T is no hard matter to despise human comfort when we have comfort from above.
It is much, and very much, to be able to lack both human and divine comfort; and, for God's honour, to be willing cheerfully to endure desolation of heart; and to seek oneself in nothing, nor to regard one's own merit.
What great matter is it, if at the coming of grace thou be cheerful and devout? this hour is wished for by all men.
He rideth easily enough whom the grace of God carrieth.
And what marvel if he feel not his burden, who is borne up by the Almighty, and led by the Sovereign Guide?
2. We are always willing to have something for our comfort; and a man doth not without difficulty strip himself of self.
The holy martyr Laurence and his priest overcame the world, because whatsoever seemed delightsome ​in the world he despised; and for the love of Christ he patiently suffered God's chief priest Sixtus, whom he most dearly loved, to be even taken away from him.
He therefore overcame the love of man by the love of the Creator; and he rather chose what pleased God, than human comfort.
So also do thou learn to part even with a near and dear friend for the love of God.
Nor do thou think it hard, when thou art deserted by a friend, as knowing that we all at last must be separated one from another.
3. A man must strive long and mightily within himself, before he can fully learn to master himself, and to draw his whole heart unto God.
When a man trusteth in himself, he easily slideth unto human comforts.
But a true lover of Christ, and a diligent follower of all virtue, does not fall back on comforts, nor seek such sensible sweetnesses; but rather prefers hard exercises, and to sustain severe labours for Christ.
4. When therefore spiritual comfort is given thee from God, receive it with thankfulness; but understand that it is the gift of God, not thine own desert.
Be not puffed up, be not too joyful, nor vainly presumptuous; but rather be the more humble for that gift, more wary too and fearful in all thine actions; for that hour will pass away, and temptation will follow.
When consolation is taken from thee, do not immediately despair; but with humility and patience wait for the heavenly visitation; for God is able to give thee back again more ample consolation.
​There is nothing new nor strange unto them that have experience in the way of God; for the great saints and ancient prophets had oftentimes experience of such vicissitudes.
5. For which cause, one, while he was in divine grace, said, "I said in my prosperity, I shall never be moved."
But in the want of it, he adds, "Thou didst turn Thy face from me, and I was troubled."
Yet in the midst of all this he doth not by any means despair, but more earnestly beseecheth the Lord, and saith, "Unto Thee, Lord, will I cry, and I will pray unto my God."
At length, he receiveth the fruit of his prayer, and testifieth that he was heard, saying, "The Lord hath heard me, and taken pity on me; the Lord has become my helper."
But wherein? "Thou hast turned," saith he, "my sorrow into joy, and Thou hast compassed me about with gladness."
If great saints were so dealt with, we that are weak and poor ought not to despair, if we be sometimes hot and sometimes cold; for the Spirit cometh and goeth according to the good pleasure of His own will. For which cause holy Job saith, "Thou visitest him early in the morning, and suddenly Thou provest him."
6. Whereupon then can I hope, or wherein ought I to trust, save in the great mercy of God alone, and in the only hope of heavenly grace?
For whether I have either religious brethren, or faithful friends; whether holy books, or beautiful ​treatises, or sweet chants and hymns; all these help but little, and have but little savour, when grace forsaketh me, and I am left in mine own poverty.
At such time there is no better remedy than patience, and the denying of myself according to the will of God.
7. I never found any so religious and devout, that he had not sometimes a withdrawing of grace, or felt not some decrease of zeal.
There was never saint so highly rapt and illuminated, who first or last was not tempted.
For he is not worthy of the high contemplation of God, who hath not been exercised with some tribulation for God's sake.
For temptation going before is wont to be a sign of comfort to follow.
For unto those that are proved by temptations heavenly comfort is promised. "To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life."
8. But divine consolation is given, that a man may be stronger in adversities.
There followeth also temptation, lest he should wax proud of any good.
The devil sleepeth not, neither is the flesh as yet dead; therefore cease not to prepare thyself to the battle; for on thy right hand and on thy left are enemies who never rest.