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 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 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 2nd book: chapter x (gratitude for the Grace of God)

OF GRATITUDE FOR THE GRACE OF GOD “Why seek you rest when you are born to labour? Prepare yourself for patience more than for comforts, and for bearing the cross more than for joy. For who among the men of this world would not gladly receive consolation and spiritual joy if he might always have [...]