OF MEDITATION UPON DEATH “O dearly beloved, from what danger you might free yourself, from what great fear, if only you would always live in fear, and in expectation of death. Strive now to live in such wise, that in the hour of death you may rather rejoice than fear. Learn now to die to [...]
Category: The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, tr. by William Benham, 1886
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxiii (meditation upon death)
OF MEDITATION UPON DEATH “Very quickly, will there be an end of you here. Take heed, therefore, how it will be with you in another world. Today man is, and tomorrow he will be seen no more. And being removed out of sight quickly, also he is out of mind. O the dullness and hardness [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxii (the contemplation of human misery)
ON THE CONTEMPLATION OF HUMAN MISERY “You are miserable wheresoever you are, and whithersoever you turn, unless you turn yourself to God. Why are you disquieted because it happens not to you according to your wishes and desires? Who is he that have everything according to his will? Neither I, nor you, nor any man [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxi (compunction of heart)
OF COMPUNCTION OF HEART “If you will make any progress, keep yourself in the fear of God, and long not to be too free, but restrain all your senses under discipline and give not yourself up to senseless mirth. Give yourself to compunction of heart and you shall find devotion. Compunction opens the way for [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xx (the love of solitude and silence)
OF THE LOVE OF SOLITUDE AND SILENCE “In silence and quiet the devout soul goes forward and learns the hidden things of the Scriptures. Therein finds she a fountain of tears, wherein to wash and cleanse herself each night, that she may grow the more dear to her Maker as she dwells the further from [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xx (the love of solitude and silence)
OF THE LOVE OF SOLITUDE AND SILENCE “Seek a suitable time for your meditation and think frequently of the mercies of God to you. Leave curious questions. Study such matters as bring you sorrow for sin, rather than amusement. If you withdraw yourself from trifling conversation and idle goings about, as well as from novelties [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xix (the exercises of a religious man)
OF THE EXERCISES OF A RELIGIOUS MAN “The duties which are not common to all must not be done openly but are safest carried on in secret. But take heed that you be not careless in the common duties and more devout in the secret; but faithfully and honestly discharge the duties and commands which [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xix (the exercises of a religious man)
OF THE EXERCISES OF A RELIGIOUS MAN “The life of a Christian ought to be adorned with all virtues, that he may be inwardly what he outwardly appears unto men. And verily it should be yet better within than without, for God is a discerner of our heart, Whom we must reverence with all our [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xviii (the examples of the holy fathers)
OF THE EXAMPLE OF THE HOLY FATHERS “Consider now the lively examples of the holy fathers, in whom shone forth real perfectness and religion, and you shall see how little, even as nothing, is all that we do. Ah! What is our life when compared to theirs? They, saints and friends of Christ as they [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xiv and xv (avoiding rash judgment; works of charity)
ON AVOIDING RASH JUDGMENT “Look well unto yourself and beware that you judge not the doings of others. In judging others, a man labours in vain; he often errs and easily falls into sin; but in judging and examining himself, he always labours to good purpose. According as a matter touches our fancy, so oftentimes [...]
The Mark Of God: Understanding Your "I AM Presence" 