THAT THE DESIRES OF THE HEART ARE TO BE EXAMINED AND GOVERNED “” My Son, you have still many things to learn, which you have not well learned yet.” What are they Lord? “To place your desire altogether in subjection to My good pleasure, and not to be a lover of yourself, but an earnest [...]
Category: The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, tr. by William Benham, 1886
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter x (that it is sweet to despise the world and to serve God)
THAT IT IS SWEET TO DESPISE THE WORLD AND TO SERVE GOD “Now will I speak again, O my Lord, and hold not my peace; I will say in the ears of my God, my Lord, and my King, who is exalted above all, O how plentiful is Your goodness which You have laid up [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter ix (that all things are to be referred to God as the final end)
THAT ALL THINGS ARE TO BE REFERRED TO GOD, AS THE FINAL END “” My Son, I must be your Supreme and final end, if you desire to be truly happy. Out of such purpose your affection shall be purified, which too often is sinfully bent upon itself and upon created things. For if you [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter viii (a low estimation of self in the sight of God)
OF A LOW ESTIMATION OF SELF IN THE SIGHT OF GOD “I will speak unto my Lord who I am but dust and ashes. If I count myself more, behold, You stand against me, and my iniquities bear true testimony, and I cannot gainsay it. But if I abase myself, and bring myself to nought, [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter vii (hiding our grace under the guard of humility)
OF HIDING OUR GRACE UNDER THE GUARD OF HUMILITY “”My Son, it is better and safer for you to hide the grace of devotion, and not to lift yourself up on high, nor to speak much thereof, nor to value it greatly; but rather to despise yourself, and to fear as though this grace were [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter vi (the proving of the true lover)
OF THE PROVING OF THE TRUE LOVER ““My Son, you are not yet strong and prudent in your love.” Wherefore, O my Lord? “Because for a little opposition, you fall away from your undertakings, and too eagerly seek after consolation. The strong lover stands fast in temptations, and believes not the evil persuasions of the [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter V (of the wonderful power of the Divine Love)
OF THE WONDERFUL POWER OF THE DIVINE LOVE “I bless You, O Heavenly Father, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, for that You have vouchsafed to think of me, poor that I am. O Father of Mercies and God of all comfort, 2 Corinthians 1:3, I give thanks unto You, who refreshes me sometimes with [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter IV (how we must walk in truth and humility before God)
HOW WE MUST WALK IN TRUTH AND HUMILITY BEFORE GOD “My Son, walk before Me in truth, and in the simplicity of your heart seek Me continually. He who walks before Me in the truth, shall be safe from evil assaults, and the truth shall deliver him from the wiles and slanders of the wicked. [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter III (how all the words of God are to be heard with humility; and how many consider them not)
HOW ALL THE WORDS OF GOD ARE TO BE HEARD WITH HUMILITY; AND HOW MANY CONSIDER THEM NOT “” My Son, hear My words, for My words are most sweet, surpassing all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world. My words are spirit, and they are life, John 6:63, and are [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter II (what the truth says inwardly without noise of words)
WHAT THE TRUTH SAYS INWARDLY WITHOUT NOISE OF WORDS “Speak Lord, for your servant hears, 1 Samuel 3:9. I am Your servant; O give me understanding that I may know Your testimonies, Psalms 119:125. Incline my heart unto the words of Your mouth. Let your speech distil as the dew. The children of Israel spoke [...]
The Mark Of God: Understanding Your "I AM Presence" 