THAT A MAN OUGHT NOT TO RECKON HIMSELF WORTHY OF CONSOLATION, BUT MORE WORTHY OF CHASTISEMENT “O Lord, I am not worthy of Your consolation, nor of any spiritual visitation, and therefore, You deal justly with me, when You leave me poor and desolate. For if I were able to pour forth tears like the [...]
Category: The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, tr. by William Benham, 1886
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter li (that we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that are lofty)
THAT WE MUST GIVE OURSELVES TO HUMBLE WORKS WHEN WE ARE UNEQUAL TO THOSE THAT ARE LOFTY “” My Son, you are not always able to continue in very fervent desire after virtues, nor to stand fast in the loftier region of contemplation, but you must, of necessity, sometimes descend to lower things because of [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter l (how a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God)
HOW A DESOLATE MAN OUGHT TO COMMIT HIMSELF INTO THE HANDS OF GOD “O Lord, Holy Father, be You blessed now and evermore, because as You will, so it is done, and what You do is good. Let Your servant rejoice in You, not in himself, nor in any other, because You alone are the [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xlix (the desire after eternal life and how great blessings are promised to those who strive)
THE DESIRE AFTER ETERNAL LIFE, AND HOW GREAT BLESSINGS ARE PROMISED TO THOSE WHO STRIVE ““My Son, when you feel the desire of eternal happiness to be poured into you from above, and longest to depart from the tabernacle of this body, that you may contemplate My glory without shadow of turning, enlarge your heart, [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xlviii (the day of eternity and of the straitness of this life)
OF THE DAY OF ETERNITY AND OF THE STRAITNESSES OF THIS LIFE O most blessed mansion of the City which is above! O most clear day of eternity which the night obscures not, but the Supreme Truth ever enlightens! Day always joyful, always secure, and never changing its state into those which are contrary. O [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xlvii (that all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life)
THAT ALL TROUBLES ARE TO BE ENDURED FOR THE SAKE OF ETERNAL LIFE “”My Son, let not the labours which you have undertaken for Me break you down, nor let tribulations cast you down in anywise, but let my promise strengthen and comfort you in every event. I am sufficient to reward you above all [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xlvi (having confidence on God when evil words are cast at us)
OF HAVING CONFIDENCE IN GOD WHEN EVIL WORDS ARE CAST AT US “” My Son, stand fast and believe in Me. For what are words but words! They fly through the air, but they bruise no stone. If you are guilty, think how you would gladly amend yourself; if you know nothing against yourself, consider [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xlv (that we must not believe everyone; and that we are prone to fall in our words)
THAT WE MUST NOT BELIEVE EVERYONE; AND THAT WE ARE PRONE TO FALL IN OUR WORDS “Lord, be you my help in trouble, for vain is the help of man, (Psalm 60:11). How often have I failed to find faithfulness, where I thought I possessed it. How many times I have found it where I [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xliv (not troubling ourselves about outward things)
OF NOT TROUBLING OURSELVES ABOUT OUTWARD THINGS “” My Son, in many things, it behooves you to be ignorant, and to esteem yourself as one dead upon the earth, and as one to whom the whole world is crucified. Many things also you must pass by with deaf ear, and must rather think upon those [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xliii (against vain and worldly knowledge)
AGAINST VAIN AND WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE “” My Son, let not the fair and subtle sayings of men move you. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power, (1 Corinthians 4:20). Give ear to My words, for they kindle the heart and enlighten the mind, they bring contrition, and they supply manifold [...]
