OF THE INWARD LIFE “The kingdom of God is within you, says the Lord. Turn you with all your heart to the Lord and forsake this miserable world, and you shall find rest unto your soul. Learn to despise outward things and to give yourself to things inward, and you shall see the Kingdom of [...]
Category: The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, tr. by William Benham, 1886
The imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxv (of the zealous amendment of our whole life)
OF THE ZEALOUS AMENDMENT OF OUR WHOLE LIFE “As your eye observes others, so again are the eyes of others upon you. How sweet and pleasant is it to see zealous and godly brethren temperate and of good discipline; and how sad is it and grievous to see them walking disorderly, not practicing the duties [...]
The imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxv (of the zealous amendment of our whole life)
OF THE ZEALOUS AMENDMENT OF OUR WHOLE LIFE “Be you watchful and diligent in God's service and bethink you often why you have renounced the world. Was it not that you might live to God and become a spiritual man? Be zealous, therefore, for thy spiritual profit, for you shall receive shortly the reward of [...]
The imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxiv (the judgment and punishment of the wicked)
OF THE JUDGMENT AND PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED “Be you anxious now and sorrowful for your sins, that in the day of judgment you may have boldness with the blessed. For then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him and made no account of his [...]
The imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxiv (the judgment and punishment of the wicked)
OF THE JUDGMENT AND PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED “In all that you do, remember the end, and how you will stand before a strict judge, from whom nothing is hid, who is not bribed with gifts, nor accepts excuses, but will judge righteous judgment. O most miserable and foolish sinner, who are sometimes in fear [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxiii (meditation upon death)
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 [...]
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 Mark Of God: Understanding Your "I AM Presence" 