OF THE EXALTATION OF A FREE SPIRIT WHICH HUMBLE PRAYER MORE DESERVES THAN DOES FREQUENT READING “Lord, this is the work of a perfect man, never to slacken his mind from attention to heavenly things, and among many cares, to pass along as it were without care, not after the manner of one indifferent, but [...]
Category: The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, tr. by William Benham, 1886
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxv (wherein firm peace of heart and true profit consist)
WHEREIN FIRM PEACE OF HEART AND TRUE PROFIT CONSIST “My Son, I have said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you.”, (John 14:27). All men desire peace, but all do not care for the things which belong unto true peace. My peace [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxiv (avoiding of curious inquiry into the life of another)
OF AVOIDING OF CURIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE LIFE OF ANOTHER “” My Son, be not curious, nor trouble yourself with vain cares. What is that to you? Follow you Me, for what is it to you whether a man be this or that, or say or do thus or thus? You have no need to [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxiii (four things which brings great peace)
OF FOUR THINGS WHICH BRING GREAT PEACE “” My Son, now will I teach you the way of peace and of true liberty.” Do, O my Lord, as You say, for this is pleasing unto me to hear. “Strive My Son, to do another's will, rather than your own. Choose always to have less rather [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxii (the recollection of God’s manifold benefits)
OF THE RECOLLECTION OF GOD'S MANIFOLD BENEFITS “Open, O Lord, my heart in Your law, and teach me to walk in the way of Your commandments. Grant me to understand Your will, and to be mindful of Your benefits, both general and special, with great reverence and diligent meditation, that thus I may be able [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxi (that we must rest in God above all goods and gifts)
THAT WE MUST REST IN GOD ABOVE ALL GOODS AND GIFTS “Above all things and in all things, you shall rest always in the Lord, O my soul, for he himself is the eternal rest of the saints. Grant me, most sweet and loving Jesus, to rest in You above every creature, above all health [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xx (confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life)
OF CONFESSION OF OUR INFIRMITY AND OF THE MISERIES OF THIS LIFE “I will acknowledge my sin unto You, (Psalms 32:5); I will confess to You, Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casts me down and makes me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xix (bearing injuries and who shall be approved as truly patient)
OF BEARING INJURIES; AND WHO SHALL BE APPROVED AS TRULY PATIENT “” What say you My Son. Cease to complain; consider My suffering and that of My saints. You have not yet resisted unto blood, (Hebrews 12:4). It is little which you suffer in comparison with those who have suffered so many things, have been [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xviii (that temporal miseries are to be borne patiently after the example of Christ)
THAT TEMPORAL MISERIES ARE TO BE BORNE PATIENTLY AFTER THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST “" My Son, I came down from heaven for your salvation; I took upon Me your miseries not of necessity, but drawn by love that you might learn patience and might bear temporal miseries without murmuring. For from the hour of My [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xvii (that all care is to be cast upon God)
THAT ALL CARE IS TO BE CAST UPON GOD “My Son, suffer me to do with you what I will; I know what is expedient for you. You think as a man, in many things you judge as human affection persuades you.” Lord, what You say is true. Greater is Your care for me than [...]
