Book III. I'll

O F T H E
IMITATION
O F
Jefus Chrift.
Digefted into Conferences between Christ and the Soul of his Diiciple.
C H A p. L The Happinefs of fuch a Converfation.
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Difciphi^'^ Will hear what the Lord God pp/hxxv 5. will fay concerning me. For bleffed is the Soulj which hears the Lord fpeaking ^ and feels the tranfporting Comforts of his Gracious Words. Bleffed are the Ears^ which^ with a greedy Attention^ drink in the foft and gentle Whifpers of his Spirit \ while they con- tinue obltinately deaf to the treacherous Iniinuations of this deluding World. And doubly bleffed are They 5 who hear the Sound of Truth^ not only in the Out- ward Adminiftrations of the Word, but by the In- "Ward and Familiar Communications and Motions
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of infuled Grace. BlelTed thofe Eyes, which are (hut to all the Objeds of the World, and conftantly wake- ful and open to the Affairs of the Soul, and turned in- ward upon our felves. Blefled are they whofe fharper Sight enters deep , and pierces into the fecret and fubiime Myfteries of Heavenly Truth ^ purged and prepared by Spiritual Meditations, and Daily Exer- cife of Holy Duties : Bleffed indeed are they, who difengage themfelves from all Worldly Incumbrances, and gain Leifure and Opportunities for attending continually upon God alone.
Confider this, my Soul, and fhake off Senfual De- fires, which muft be firft abandoned, before thcucanft lilten with due Reverence and Attention , to thofe Things, which the Lord God will fpeak: And, O! what comfortable Words are thofe ^ I am John XIV. ^j^y Peace, thy Life, thy Salvation, and ex^ ceeding great Reward, Come unto me, thou Matth. xL th^'^t art weary and heavy laden , and thou Jljalt find refi unto thy SouL Set thy Affecii- Colof. iii. cm on Things above , and not on things on
the Earth, For the things that are fern are ^ ^' ' ^^* teivporal , hut the Things that are not feen are eternal. What are all things here below but dange- rous and empty Delufions ? And what could it profit a Man to gain, though it were all the Creatures, if he be forfaken and caft oif by the Creator ^ In him alone is Pleafure, and Blifs, and Glory ; therefore let go thofe cheating Shadows , and embrace the only fubftantial Good ; bid a final Adieu to the Deceits of the World , and place all thy Love and Endeavours upon thy God ,♦ for in his Service and Acceptance thou fliak attain the End of thy Wiflies, the Fruit of thy Labours, folid Satisfaction and true Happinefs.
CHAP.
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