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The Imitation of Christ
Thomas a Kempis · d. 1471
- 1 Foreword
- 2 1.Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth
- 3 2. Having a Humble Opinion of Self
- 4 3. The Doctrine of Truth
- 5 4. Prudence in Action
- 6 6. Unbridled Affections
- 7 8. Shunning Over-Familiarity
- 8 11. Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Perfection
- 9 13. Resisting Temptation
- 10 14. Avoiding Rash Judgment
- 11 16. Bearing with the Faults of Others
- 12 18. The Example Set Us by the Holy Fathers
- 13 19. The Practices of a Good Religious
- 14 20. The Love of Solitude and Silence
- 15 21. Sorrow of Heart
- 16 22. Thoughts on the Misery of Man
- 17 23. Thoughts on Death
- 18 24. Judgment and the Punishment of Sin
- 19 25. Zeal in Amending our Lives
- 20 1. Meditation
- 21 2. Humility
- 22 4. Purity of Mind and Unity of Purpose
- 23 6. The Joy of a Good Conscience
- 24 7. Loving Jesus Above All Things
- 25 9. Wanting No Share in Comfort
- 26 10. Appreciating God's Grace
- 27 11. Few Love the Cross of Jesus
- 28 12. The Royal Road of the Holy Cross
- 29 1. The Inward Conversation of Christ with the Faithful Soul
- 30 3. Listen Humbly to the Words of God. Many Do Not Heed Them
- 31 4. We Must Walk Before God in Humility and Truth
- 32 5. The Wonderful Effect of Divine Love
- 33 6. The Proving of a True Lover
- 34 7. Grace Must Be Hidden Under the Mantle of Humility
- 35 8. Self-Abasement in the Sight of God
- 36 10. To Despise the World and Serve God is Sweet
- 37 11. The Longings of our Hearts Must Be Examined And Moderated
- 38 13. The Obedience of One Humbly Subject to the Example of Jesus Christ
- 39 15. How One Should Feel and Speak on Every Desirable Thing
- 40 16. True Comfort Is to Be Sought in God Alone
- 41 18. Temporal Sufferings Should Be Borne Patiently, After the Example of Christ
- 42 20. Confessing Our Weakness in the Miseries of Life
- 43 21. Above All Goods and All Gifts We Must Rest in God
- 44 22. Remember the Innumerable Gifts of God
- 45 23. Four Things Which Bring Great Peace
- 46 24. Avoiding Curious Inquiry About the Lives of Others
- 47 26. The Excellence of a Free Mind, Gained Through Prayer Rather Than By Study
- 48 28. Strength Against Slander
- 49 30. The Quest of Divine Help and Confidence in Regaining Grace
- 50 31. To Find the Creator, Forsake All Creatures
- 51 32. Self-Denial and the Renunciation of Evil Appetites
- 52 33. Restlessness of Soul -- Directing Our Final Intention Toward God
- 53 33. Restlessness of Soul -- Directing Our Final Intention Toward God
- 54 35. There is No Security from Temptation in This Life
- 55 37. Pure and Entire Resignation of Self to Obtain Freedom of Heart
- 56 39. A Man Should Not Be Unduly Solicitous About His Affairs
- 57 41. Contempt for All Earthly Honor
- 58 43. Beware Vain and Worldly Knowledge
- 59 44. Do Not Be Concerned About Outward Things
- 60 46. Trust in God Against Slander
- 61 47. Every Trial Must Be Borne for the Sake of Eternal Life
- 62 48. The Day of Eternity and the Distresses of This Life
- 63 49. The Desire of Eternal Life; the Great Rewards Promised to Those Who Struggle
- 64 50. How a Desolate Person Ought to Commit Himself Into the Hands of God
- 65 51. When We Cannot Attain to the Highest, We Must Practice the Humble Works
- 66 53. God's Grace Is Not Given to the Earthly Minded
- 67 54. The Different Motions of Nature and Grace
- 68 55. The Corruption of Nature and the Efficacy of Divine Grace
- 69 56. We Ought to Deny Ourselves and Imitate Christ Through Bearing the Cross
- 70 57. A Man Should Not Be Too Downcast When He Falls Into Defects
- 71 58. High Matters and the Hidden Judgments of God Are Not to Be Scrutinized
- 72 59. All Hope and Trust Are to Be Fixed In God Alone
- 73 1. The Great Reverence With Which We Should Receive Christ
- 74 2. God's Great Goodness and Love is Shown to Man in This Sacrament
- 75 3. It Is Profitable to Receive Communion Often
- 76 4. Many Blessings Are Given Those Who Receive Communion Worthily
- 77 5. The Dignity of the Sacrament and of the Priesthood
- 78 6. An Inquiry on the Proper Thing to Do Before Communion
- 79 8. The Offering of Christ on the Cross; Our Offering
- 80 10. Do Not Lightly Forego Holy Communion
- 81 11. The Body of Christ and Sacred Scripture Are Most Necessary to a Faithful Soul.
- 82 12. The Communicant Should Prepare Himself for Christ with Great Care
- 83 13. With All Her Heart the Devout Soul Should Desire Union with Christ in the Sacrament
- 84 14. The Ardent Longing of Devout Men for the Body of Christ.
- 85 16. We Should Show Our Needs to Christ and Ask His Grace
- 86 18. Man Should Not Scrutinize This Sacrament in Curiosity, But Humbly Imitate Christ and Submit Reason to Holy Faith