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 xv (how we must stand and speak in everything that we desire)

HOW WE MUST STAND AND SPEAK, IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DESIRE “” My Son, speak you thus in every matter, 'Lord, if it pleases You, let this come to pass. Lord, if this shall be for Your honour, let it be done in Your Name. Lord, if You see it good for me, and approve [...]

the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xiii (the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus Christ)

OF THE OBEDIENCE OF ONE IN LOWLY SUBJECTION AFTER THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS CHRIST “” My Son, he who strives to withdraw himself from obedience, withdraws himself also from grace, and he who seeks private advantages, loses those which are common unto all. If a man submit not freely and willingly to one set over [...]

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 [...]