Translated by William Benham · 1874
CHAPTER I
Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities _He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness_,(1) saith the Lord. These are t…
2 passages
CHAPTER II & CHAPTER III
Of thinking humbly of oneself There is naturally in every man a desire to know, but what profiteth knowledge without the fear of God? Better of a surety is a l…
5 passages
CHAPTER IV & CHAPTER V & CHAPTER VI
Of prudence in action We must not trust every word of others or feeling within ourselves, but cautiously and patiently try the matter, whether it be of God. Un…
3 passages
CHAPTER VII & CHAPTER VIII
Of fleeing from vain hope and pride Vain is the life of that man who putteth his trust in men or in any created Thing. Be not ashamed to be the servant of othe…
3 passages
CHAPTER IX & CHAPTER X
Of Obedience and Subjection It is verily a great thing to live in obedience, to be under authority, and not to be at our own disposal. Far safer is it to live …
3 passages
CHAPTER XI
Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress We may enjoy abundance of peace if we refrain from busying ourselves with the sayings and doings of others, …
3 passages
CHAPTER XII & CHAPTER XIII
Of the uses of adversity It is good for us that we sometimes have sorrows and adversities, for they often make a man lay to heart that he is only a stranger an…
5 passages
CHAPTER XIV & CHAPTER XV
On avoiding rash judgment Look well unto thyself, and beware that thou judge not the doings of others. In judging others a man laboureth in vain; he often erre…
3 passages
CHAPTER XVI & CHAPTER XVII
Of bearing with the faults of others Those things which a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he ought patiently to bear, until God shall otherwise ordai…
3 passages
CHAPTER XVIII
Of the example of the holy fathers Consider now the lively examples of the holy fathers, in whom shone forth real perfectness and religion, and thou shalt see …
3 passages
CHAPTER XIX
Of the exercises of a religious man The life of a Christian ought to be adorned with all virtues, that he may be inwardly what he outwardly appeareth unto men.…
4 passages
CHAPTER XX
Of the love of solitude and silence Seek a suitable time for thy meditation, and think frequently of the mercies of God to thee. Leave curious questions. Study…
4 passages
CHAPTER XXI
Of compunction of heart If thou wilt make any progress keep thyself in the fear of God, and long not to be too free, but restrain all thy senses under discipli…
3 passages
CHAPTER XXII
On the contemplation of human misery Thou art miserable wheresoever thou art, and whithersoever thou turnest, unless thou turn thee to God. Why art thou disqui…
4 passages
CHAPTER XXIII
Of meditation upon death Very quickly will there be an end of thee here; take heed therefore how it will be with thee in another world. To-day man is, and to-m…
5 passages
CHAPTER XXIV
Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked In all that thou doest, remember the end, and how thou wilt stand before a strict judge, from whom nothing is hid,…
4 passages
CHAPTER XXV
Of the zealous amendment of our whole life Be thou watchful and diligent in God’s service, and bethink thee often why thou hast renounced the world. Was it not…
5 passages
CHAPTER I
Of the inward life The kingdom of God is within you,(1) saith the Lord. Turn thee with all thine heart to the Lord and forsake this miserable world, and thou s…
4 passages
CHAPTER II & CHAPTER III
Of lowly submission Make no great account who is for thee or against thee, but mind only the present duty and take care that God be with thee in whatsoever tho…
3 passages
CHAPTER IV & CHAPTER V
Of a pure mind and simple intention By two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity and purity. Simplicity ought to be in the intention, pu…
3 passages
CHAPTER VI
Of the joy of a good conscience The testimony of a good conscience is the glory of a good man. Have a good conscience and thou shalt ever have joy. A good cons…
2 passages
CHAPTER VII & CHAPTER VIII
Of loving Jesus above all things Blessed is he who understandeth what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus’ sake. He must give up all that he …
4 passages
CHAPTER IX
Of the lack of all comfort It is no hard thing to despise human comfort when divine is present. It is a great thing, yea very great, to be able to bear the los…
5 passages
CHAPTER X
Of gratitude for the Grace of God Why seekest thou rest when thou art born to labour? Prepare thyself for patience more than for comforts, and for bearing the …
3 passages
CHAPTER XI
Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus Jesus hath many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. He hath many seekers of comfo…
2 passages
CHAPTER XII
Of the royal way of the Holy Cross That seemeth a hard saying to many, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow Me.…
7 passages
CHAPTER I & CHAPTER II
Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me.(1) Blessed is the soul which heareth the Lord speaking…
3 passages
CHAPTER III
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 …
4 passages
CHAPTER IV
How we must walk in truth and humility before God “My Son! walk before Me in truth, and in the simplicity of thy heart seek Me continually. He who walketh befo…
2 passages
CHAPTER V
Of the wonderful power of the Divine Love I bless Thee, O Heavenly Father, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, for that Thou hast vouchsafed to think of me, poor t…
4 passages
CHAPTER VI
Of the proving of the true lover “My Son, thou art not yet strong and prudent in thy love.” 2. Wherefore, O my Lord? 3. “Because for a little opposition thou…
3 passages
CHAPTER VII
Of hiding our grace under the guard of humility “My Son, it is better and safer for thee to hide the grace of devotion, and not to lift thyself up on high, nor…
4 passages
CHAPTER VIII & CHAPTER IX
Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God I will speak unto my Lord who am but dust and ashes. If I count myself more, behold Thou standest against me, a…
3 passages
CHAPTER X
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…
3 passages
CHAPTER XI & CHAPTER XII
That the desires of the heart are to be examined and governed “My Son, thou hast still many things to learn, which thou hast not well learned yet.” 2. What ar…
4 passages
CHAPTER XIII & CHAPTER XIV
Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus Christ “My Son, he who striveth to withdraw himself from obedience, withdraweth himself …
4 passages
CHAPTER XV
How we must stand and speak, in everything that we desire “My Son, speak thou thus in every matter, ‘Lord, if it please Thee, let this come to pass. Lord, if t…
2 passages
CHAPTER XVI & CHAPTER XVII
That true solace is to be sought in God alone Whatsoever I am able to desire or to think of for my solace, I look for it not here, but hereafter. For if I alon…
3 passages
CHAPTER XVIII & CHAPTER XIX
That temporal miseries are to be borne patiently after the example of Christ “My Son! I came down from heaven for thy salvation; I took upon Me thy miseries no…
4 passages
CHAPTER XX
Of confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life _I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;_(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity. It is oft…
3 passages
CHAPTER XXI
That we must rest in God above all goods and gifts Above all things and in all things thou shalt rest alway in the Lord, O my soul, for he himself is the etern…
4 passages
CHAPTER XXII
Of the recollection of God’s manifold benefits Open, O Lord, my heart in Thy law, and teach me to walk in the way of Thy commandments. Grant me to understand T…
3 passages
CHAPTER XXIII
Of four things which bring great peace “My Son, now will I teach thee the way of peace and of true liberty.” 2. Do, O my Lord, as Thou sayest, for this is ple…
3 passages
CHAPTER XXIV & CHAPTER XXV
Of avoiding of curious inquiry into the life of another “My Son, be not curious, nor trouble thyself with vain cares. _What is that to thee? Follow thou Me._(1…
3 passages
CHAPTER XXVI & CHAPTER XXVII
Of the exaltation of a free spirit, which humble prayer more deserveth than doth frequent reading Lord, this is the work of a perfect man, never to slacken his…
4 passages
CHAPTER XXVIII & CHAPTER XXIX
Against the tongues of detractors “My Son, take it not sadly to heart, if any think ill of thee, and say of thee what thou art unwilling to hear. Thou oughtest…
2 passages
CHAPTER XXX
Of seeking divine help, and the confidence of obtaining grace “My Son, I the Lord am a stronghold in the day of trouble.(1) Come unto Me, when it is not well w…
3 passages
CHAPTER XXXI
Of the neglect of every creature, that the Creator may be found O Lord, I still need more grace, if I would arrive where neither man nor any other creature may…
3 passages
CHAPTER XXXII & CHAPTER XXXIII
Of self-denial and the casting away all selfishness “My Son, thou canst not possess perfect liberty unless thou altogether deny thyself. All they are enslaved …
3 passages
CHAPTER XXXIV
That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all things Behold, God is mine, and all things are mine! What will I more, and what more happy thin…
2 passages
CHAPTER XXXV & CHAPTER XXXVI
That there is no security against temptation in this life “My Son, thou art never secure in this life, but thy spiritual armour will always be needful for thee…
3 passages
CHAPTER XXXVII & CHAPTER XXXVIII
Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining liberty of heart “My Son, lose thyself and thou shalt find Me. Stand still without all choosing and a…
3 passages
CHAPTER XXXIX & CHAPTER XL
That man must not be immersed in business “My Son, always commit thy cause to Me; I will dispose it aright in due time. Wait for My arrangement of it, and then…
4 passages
CHAPTER XLI & CHAPTER XLII
Of contempt of all temporal honour “My Son, make it no matter of thine, if thou see others honoured and exalted, and thyself despised and humbled. Lift up thin…
2 passages
CHAPTER XLIII
Against vain and worldly knowledge “My Son, let not the fair and subtle sayings of men move thee. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.(1) Give …
2 passages
CHAPTER XLIV & CHAPTER XLV
Of not troubling ourselves about outward things “My Son, in many things it behoveth thee to be ignorant, and to esteem thyself as one dead upon the earth, and …
4 passages
CHAPTER XLVI
Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us “My Son, stand fast and believe in Me. For what are words but words? They fly through the air, but t…
3 passages
CHAPTER XLVII
That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life “My Son, let not the labours which thou hast undertaken for Me break thee down, nor let tribul…
2 passages
CHAPTER XLVIII
Of the day of eternity and of the straitnesses of this life Oh most blessed mansion of the City which is above! Oh most clear day of eternity which the night o…
4 passages
CHAPTER XLIX
Of the desire after eternal life, and how great blessings are promised to those who strive “My Son, when thou feelest the desire of eternal happiness to be pou…
4 passages
CHAPTER L
How a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God O Lord, Holy Father, be Thou blessed now and evermore; because as Thou wilt so it is done, and…
4 passages
CHAPTER LI & CHAPTER LII
That we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that are lofty “My Son, thou art not always able to continue in very fervent desire af…
3 passages
CHAPTER LIII
That the Grace of God doth not join itself to those who mind earthly things “My Son, precious is My grace, it suffereth not itself to be joined with outward th…
2 passages
CHAPTER LIV
Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace “My Son, pay diligent heed to the motions of Nature and of Grace, because they move in a very contrary and subtle…
5 passages
CHAPTER LV
Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace O Lord my God, who hast created me after thine own image and similitude, grant me this grace, whic…
3 passages
CHAPTER LVI
That we ought to deny ourselves, and to imitate Christ by means of the Cross My Son, so far as thou art able to go out of thyself so far shalt thou be able to …
3 passages
CHAPTER LVII
That a man must not be too much cast down when he falleth into some faults “My Son, patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing to Me than much comf…
2 passages
CHAPTER LVIII
Of deeper matters, and God’s hidden judgments which are not to be inquired into “My Son, beware thou dispute not of high matters and of the hidden judgments of…
5 passages
CHAPTER LIX
That all hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone O Lord, what is my trust which I have in this life, or what is my greatest comfort of all the things which …
3 passages
CHAPTER I
With how great reverence Christ must be received The Voice of the Disciple These are Thy words, O Christ, Eternal Truth; though not uttered at one time nor wr…
6 passages
CHAPTER II
That the greatness and charity of God is shown to men in the Sacrament The Voice of the Disciple Trusting in Thy goodness and great mercy, O Lord, I draw near…
4 passages
CHAPTER III
That it is profitable to Communicate often The Voice of the Disciple Behold I come unto Thee, O Lord, that I may be blessed through Thy gift, and be made joyf…
2 passages
CHAPTER IV
That many good gifts are bestowed upon those who Communicate devoutly The Voice of the Disciple O Lord my God, prevent Thou Thy servant with the blessings of …
3 passages
CHAPTER V
Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest The Voice of the Beloved If thou hadst angelic purity and the holiness of holy John the Bapt…
2 passages
CHAPTER VI & CHAPTER VII
An inquiry concerning preparation for Communion The Voice of the Disciple When I consider Thy dignity, O Lord, and mine own vileness, I tremble very exceeding…
3 passages
CHAPTER VIII & CHAPTER IX
Of the oblation of Christ upon the cross, and of resignation of self The Voice of the Beloved As I of my own will offered myself unto God the Father on the Cr…
4 passages
CHAPTER X
That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted The Voice of the Beloved Thou must frequently betake thee to the Fountain of grace and divine mercy, to the F…
4 passages
CHAPTER XI
That the Body and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are most necessary to a faithful soul The Voice of the Disciple O most sweet Lord Jesus, how great i…
5 passages
CHAPTER XII
That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence The Voice of the Beloved I am the Lover of purity, and Giver of …
2 passages
CHAPTER XIII
That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after union with Christ in the Sacrament The Voice of the Disciple Who shall grant unto me, O Lord, t…
2 passages
CHAPTER XIV & CHAPTER XV
Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the Body and Blood of Christ The Voice of the Disciple O how great is the abundance of Thy sweetnes…
4 passages
CHAPTER XVI & CHAPTER XVII
That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ and to require His Grace The Voice of the Disciple O most sweet and loving Lord, whom now I devoutly desir…
4 passages
CHAPTER XVIII
That a man should not be a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith The Voice of the Beloved Tho…
3 passages