Of a pure and full resignation of ourselves, for the obtaining freedom of heart
The Following of Christ, in Four Books, 1819, no. XXXVIISource and notes
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Chap. XXXVII.—Of a pure and full resignation of ourselves, for the obtaining freedom of heart
Source
| Printed in | The Following of Christ, in Four Books |
|---|---|
| Imprint | London, Keating, Brown and Co., 1819 |
| Number | XXXVII |
| Pages | pp. 236–238 |
| Scan | leaf 246, leaf 247, leaf 248 of the Internet Archive copy |
| Rights | Public domain in the United States. |
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SON, leave thyself, and thou shalt find me.
Stand without choice, or any self-seeking; and thou shalt always gain.
For the greater grace shall always be added to thee, when thou hast perfectly given up thyself, without resuming thyself again.
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Lord, how often shall I resign myself; and in what things shall I leave myself?
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Always, and at all times; as in little, so also in great: I make no exception, but will have thee to be found in all things stript of thyself.
Otherwise how canst thou be mine, and I thine; unless thou be both within and without freed from all self-will?
The sooner thou effectest this, the better will it be for thee; and the more fully and sincerely thou dost it, the more shalt thou please me, and the more shalt thou gain.
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Some there are that resign themselves, but it is with some exception; for they do not trust wholly to God, and therefore are busy to provide for themselves.
Some also at the first offer all; but afterwards, being assaulted by temptation, return again to what they left; and therefore they make no progress in virtue.
These shall not attain to the true liberty of a pure heart, nor to the grace of a delightful familiarity with me; unless they first entirely resign themselves up, and offer themselves a daily sacrifice to me; for without this, divine union neither is nor will be obtained.
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I have often said to thee, and I repeat it now again, forsake thyself, resign thyself, and thou shalt enjoy a great inward peace.
Give all for all, seek nothing, call for nothing back, stand purely, and with a full confidence in me, and thou shalt have me.
Thou shalt be at liberty within thy own heart, and darkness shall not overwhelm thee.
Aim only at this, pray for this, desire this, that thou mayest be stript of self-seeking, and thus naked follow thy naked Jesus; that thou mayest die to thyself, and live eternally to me.
Then all vain imaginations shall vanish, all evil disturbances, and superfluous cares.
Then also immoderate fear shall leave thee, and inordinate love shall die.