First, That his heart was intently set upon it, Psal. As fire testeth iron, so doth temptation the upright man. There is yet time, the hour is not past. Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities. The greater and more complete thy knowledge, the more severely shalt thou be judged, unless thou hast lived holily. Boast not thyself in thy riches if thou hast them, nor in thy friends if they be powerful, but in God, who giveth all things, and in addition to all things desireth to give even Himself. "Get thee behind me, Satan. And to encourage you, I will briefly hint a few things. Its popularity was immediate, and it was printed 745 times before 1650.
"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine (or, as the word may be rendered imperatively, 'faineste hos foseres', among whom shine ye) as lights in the world. " They stood fast in true humility, they lived in simple obedience, they walked in love and patience; and thus they waxed strong in spirit, and obtained great favour before God. When a man hath perfect compunction, then all the world is burdensome and bitter to him. Of meditation upon death. For they hated their souls in this world that they might keep them unto life eternal. What the Heathens said of moral virtue, (which they called verticordia, turn-heart) that if it were but visible to mortal eyes, all men would be enamoured with it, will be much more true of religion when you shall represent the beauty of it ill your conversation. How bravely did they fight that their vices might not gain the mastery! Joe Roesch" (coming October, 2022) which will follow the body of work "Mystical Temple of God" by St. Stanislaus, who founded the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. Even here on earth the patient man findeth great occasion of purifying his soul. The Imitation of Christ is a Christian devotional book dating to the early 15th century, originally written anonymously but popularly attributed to Thomas à Kempis. The soul that loveth God looketh not to anything that is beneath God. When it is morning reflect that it may be thou shalt not see the evening, and at eventide dare not to boast thyself of the morrow. C. O Christians, draw not the guilt of other men's eternal ruin upon your souls. Obedience in Christ was an abasement to him, but in you a very great honour and advancement: you have reason therefore to obey with cheerfulness.
If thou rest more upon thy own reason or experience than upon the power of Jesus Christ, thy light shall come slowly and hardly; for God willeth us to be perfectly subject unto Himself, and all our reason to be exalted by abundant love towards Him. We will that others be straitly corrected, but we will not be corrected ourselves. Behold how far thou art as yet from the true charity and humility which knows not how to be angry or indignant against any save self alone. These the reader ought to welcome; and, if he knows them, will be glad to hear them once more. But he who putteth aside the fear of God cannot long continue in good, but shall quickly fall into the snares of the devil.
There is no true liberty nor real joy, save in the fear of God with a good conscience. For this outward consolation is no small hindrance to the inner comfort which cometh from God. Therefore must we watch and pray that time pass not idly away. If thou hadst a good conscience thou wouldst not greatly fear death. Never promise thyself security in this life, howsoever good a monk or devout a solitary thou seemest. Thou wilt have to be counted as a fool for Christ, if thou wilt lead a religious life. He who knoweth himself well is vile in his own sight; neither regardeth he the praises of men. The glory of the good is in their conscience, and not in the report of men. 0 then, study holiness, eye your pattern, and as dear children, be ye followers of your most holy Lord Jesus Christ. Thou oughtest to bring a bare and clean heart to God, if thou desirest to be ready to see how gracious the Lord is. If thou shalt remain faithful and zealous in labour, doubt not that God shall be faithful and bountiful in rewarding thee. 1: 3. and so Christ's sacrifice was offered unto God, Eph. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ.
Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart:(2) man looketh on the deed, but God considereth the intent. Update contributor URL. He who is rightly disposed and ordered within careth not for the strange and perverse conduct of men. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. 268 Pages · 2014 · 19. Thus were they poor in earthly things, but rich above measure in grace and virtue.
Endeavour to be patient in bearing with other men's faults and infirmities whatsoever they be, for thou thyself also hast many things which have need to be borne with by others. Sitz der Gesellschaft:Augsburg. Established custom is not easily relinquished, and no man is very easily led to see with the eyes of another. When Jesus is present all is well and nothing seemeth hard, but when Jesus is not present everything is hard. Jesus said, "Whoever wishes to come after Me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24). We may as well pretend to be our own makers as our own guides. To download a free copy of "Mystical Temple of God" by St. Stanislaus visit: -. "Behold his heart which is lifted up, is not upright in him.