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, [...]
Category: The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, tr. by William Benham, 1886
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 imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter I (the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul)
OF THE INWARD VOICE OF CHRIST TO THE FAITHFUL SOUL “I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me, (Psalms 85:8). Blessed is the soul which hears the Lord speaking within it, and receives the word of consolation from His mouth. Blessed are the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 2nd book: chapter xii (the royal way of the holy cross)
OF THE ROYAL WAY OF THE HOLY CROSS “Drink you lovingly your Lord's cup, if you desire to be His friend and to have your lot with Him. Leave consolations to God, let Him do as seems best to Him concerning them. But do you, set yourself to endure tribulations, and reckon them the best [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 2nd book: chapter xii (the royal way of the holy cross)
OF THE ROYAL WAY OF THE HOLY CROSS “If you willingly bear the Cross, it will bear you, and will bring you to the end which you seek, even where there shall be the end of suffering; though it shall not be here. If you bear it unwillingly, you make a burden for yourself and [...]
The Mark Of God: Understanding Your "I AM Presence" 