‘OF COMPUNCTION OF THE HEART...…’ ~ ‘The Imitation of Christ’ ~ Thomas A Kempis; 1872; Book I; Chapters 21; pages 35; part I
[Thomas a Kempis – XIV-XV Century AD; born: Kempen, Holy Roman Empire/died: Zwolle, Holy Roman Empire; aged 90-91; Canon, Regular]21. OF COMPUNCTION OF THE HEART.
IF THOU wilt anything profit to the health of thy soul keep thee always in the dread of God, (and never desire to be full), at liberty, but keep thee always under some whole some discipline. Never give thyself to indiscreet mirth, for any manner of thing, as nigh as thou mayest. Have perfect compunction and sorrow for thy sins, and thou shalt find thereby great inward devotion. Compunction openeth to the sight of the soul many good things, which lightness of heart and vain mirth soon driveth away. It is marvel that any man can be merry in this life, if he consider well how far he is exiled out of his country, and how great peril his soul daily standeth in: but through lightness of heart and negligence of our defaults we feel not the sorrow of our own soul : but oftentimes we laugh when we ought rather to weep and mourn, for there is no perfect liberty, nor true joy, but in the dread of God and in a good conscience.
That person is right happy, that hath grace to avoid all things that let him from beholding of his own sins, and that can turn himself to God by inward compunction : and he is happy also that avoideth all things that may offend, or grieve his conscience. Fight strongly therefore against all sins, and dread not overmuch, although thou be encumbered by an evil custom, for that evil custom may be overcome with a good custom. And excuse thee not that thou art hindered by other men; for if thou wilt leave thy familiarity with others, they will surfer thee to do thy deeds without impediment.
Image: ‘Paul the Hermit’- Francesco Villamena, after Ferraù Fenzoni, 1613