THAT WE OUGHT TO DENY OURSELVES AND TO IMITATE CHRIST BY MEANS OF THE CROSS ““My Son, so far as you are able to go out of yourself, so far shall you be able to enter into Me. As to desire, no outward thing works internal peace, so the forsaking of self, inwardly joins unto [...]
Tag: humility
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter lv (the corruption of nature and the efficacy of divine grace)
OF THE CORRUPTION OF NATURE AND THE EFFICACY OF DIVINE GRACE “O Lord my God, who has created me after your own image and similitude, grant me this grace, which You have shown to be so great and so necessary for salvation, that I may conquer my wicked nature, which draws me to sin and [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter lii (that a man ought not to reckon himself worthy of consolation but more worthy of chastisement)
THAT A MAN OUGHT NOT TO RECKON HIMSELF WORTHY OF CONSOLATION, BUT MORE WORTHY OF CHASTISEMENT “O Lord, I am not worthy of Your consolation, nor of any spiritual visitation, and therefore, You deal justly with me, when You leave me poor and desolate. For if I were able to pour forth tears like the [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xlvii (that all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life)
THAT ALL TROUBLES ARE TO BE ENDURED FOR THE SAKE OF ETERNAL LIFE “”My Son, let not the labours which you have undertaken for Me break you down, nor let tribulations cast you down in anywise, but let my promise strengthen and comfort you in every event. I am sufficient to reward you above all [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxxvi (against vain judgments of men)
AGAINST VAIN JUDGMENTS OF MEN “My Son, anchor your soul firmly upon God, and fear not man's judgments, when conscience pronounces you pious and innocent. It is good and blessed thus to suffer; nor will it be grievous to the heart which is humble, and which trusts in God more than in itself. Many men [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxvi (the exaltation of a free spirit which humble prayer more deserves than does frequent reading)
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 [...]
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 [...]
