On Christ's Secret Speech with the Faithful Soul

On Christ Secret Speech with the Faithful soul(The imitation of Christ, Book 3, Ch.1)

1. 'I will hearken to what the Lord says within me.'
Blessed the soul which hears the Lord speaking within, and receives the word of consolation from his lips.
Blessed are the ears which pick up the rills of God's whisper, and pay no attention to the whisperings of this world.
Blessed are the ears whcih listen, not to the voice which sounds abroad, but the one which teaches truth within.
Blessed are the eyes closed to the things without, but fixed on those within.
Blessed are they who go deep within, and work hard to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises to receive the secrets of heaven.
Blessed are they who are eager to have leisure for God, and shake themselves free from every hinderance of the world.
Give your attention to this my soul, and close the doors of your carnal nature, that you may be able to hear what the Lord your God says within you.

2. These things says your beloved:'I am your salvation, your peace and your life. Keep by me and you will find peace.' Dismiss all passing things and seek those which are eternal. What are all temporal things, but seductions? And what avail all things created if you will be deserted by the Creator? Therefore, with all else put away, give back yourself, acceptable and faithful, to your Creator, that you may be able to grasp true blessedness.

Turn not only our eyes, but our ears also, upon Jesus.