<h1 style="text-align: center;">The Imitation of Christ&nbsp;by Thomas à Kempis -&nbsp;CHAPTER VII</h1>
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<p class="center" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Of loving Jesus above all things</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Blessed is he who understandeth what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus’ sake. He must give up all that he loveth for his Beloved, for Jesus will be loved alone above all things. The love of created things is deceiving and unstable, but the love of Jesus is faithful and lasting. He who cleaveth to created things will fall with their slipperiness; but he who embraceth Jesus will stand upright for ever. Love Him and hold Him for thy friend, for He will not forsake thee when all depart from thee, nor will he suffer thee to perish at the last. Thou must one day be separated from all, whether thou wilt or wilt not.</p>
