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Dismiss all passing things and seek the eternal. What are all temporal things but snares? And what help will all creatures be able to give you if you are deserted by the Creator? -Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, trans. Croft & Bolton 1940, pp.44-45
Be ready to bear sufferings and consider them the greatest consolation, for even though you alone were to undergo them all, the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come. -Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, trans. Croft & Bolton 1940,p.43
If you cast away one cross, you will find another and perhaps a heavier one. Do you expect to escape what no mortal man can ever avoid? Which of the salnts was without a cross or trial on this earth? -Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, trans. Croft & Bolton 1940, pp.41-42
If you carry the cross willingly, it will carry and lead you to the desired goal where indeed there shall be no more suffering, but here there shall be. If you carry it unwillingly, you create a burden for yourself and increase the load, though you still have to bear it.
Take up your cross and follow Jesus, and you shall enter eternal life. He Himself opened the way before you in carrying His cross, and upon it He died for you, that you, too, might take up your cross and long to die upon it. If you die with Him, you shall also live with Him...
He who desires to keep the grace of God ought to be grateful when it is given and patient when it is withdrawn. Let him pray that it return; let him be cautious and humble lest he lose it. -Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, trans. Croft & Bolton 1940, p.39