The Imitation of Christ, a deeply spiritual book by Thomas à Kempis, is the one book second only to the Bible in popularity among Catholics. Throughout this book, readers will find themselves experiencing the peace and wisdom that have comforted believers from all corners of the world. The pages of this consoling guide show readers how better to live the life of a Christian by closely following Christ's example. The Imitation of Christ will help to enable those seeking guidance in the midst...
If you seek Jesus in all things, you will surely find Jesus.The Imitation of Christ has enjoyed an unparalleled place in the world of books for more than five hundred years. 5000 different editions have been published over the centuries, and it has been translated into almost every language in the world. Thomas a Kempis was a late medieval Catholic monk, a simple man, who looked deeply into what it means to know God and have a relationship with Jesus. He wrote about humility, patience, simplicity, and persistence--virtues that are for every age." When I graduated from high school, my pastor gave me a book. The book I received as a gift was The Imitation of Christ. On the title page, he wrote: ' You will have a happy life by adhering to the wisdom in this book.' "--Br. Benet Tvedten, from the IntroductionPublishers WeeklyThomas A Kempis's four-part treatise The Imitation of Christ is presented in a lovely illustrated edition in The Imitation of Christ: Illustrated with Illuminated Manuscripts. This full-color gift book pairs 40 passages from the 15th-century text with details from one of the British Library's illuminated manuscripts, including the Sherborne Missal, the Luttrell Psalter and the Bedford Hours. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Preface ixUseful Admonitions for a Spiritual LifeFollowing Christ 3A Humble Sentiment 4The Doctrine of Truth 6Prudence in Our Doings 8The Holy Scriptures 9Inordinate Affections 10Flying Vain Hope and Pride 11Shunning Familiarity 12Obedience and Subjection 13Avoiding Superfluity of Words 14Acquiring Peace and Zeal 15Advantage of Adversity 17Resisting Temptation 18Avoiding Judgment 20Works of Charity 21Bearing the Defects of Others 22A Monastic Life 24Examples of the Holy Fathers 25Excercises of a Religious Man 27Love of Solitude and Silence 30Compunction of Heart 33The Misery of Man 35The Thoughts of Death 38Punishment of Sins 42Amendment of Our Lives 45Admonitions Concerning Interior ThingsInterior Conversation 53Of Humble Submission 56Of a Good Peaceable Man 57Of a Pure Mind 58Consideration of One's Self 60Joy of a Good Conscience 61Love of Jesus 63Of Friendship with Jesus 64Want of All Comfort 66The Grace of God 69Lovers of the Cross 72Highway of the Cross 74Of Internal ConsolationChrist to a Faithful Soul 83Christ Speaks within Us 84The Word of God 85Walking in God's Presence 88Effects of Divine Love 90Proof of a True Lover 93Grace and Humility 95Our Unworthiness 98All Things to be Referred to God 99The Service of God 100Moderation of Our Desires 103On Learning Patience 104On Obedience 106The Judgments of God 108Our Dispositions and Desires 109Comfort is to be Sought in God 111Casting our Care on God 112The Example of Jesus Christ 114On Supporting Injuries 115Our Infirmities and Miseries 117Resting in God 119The Benefits of God 122Things which Bring Peace 124Curiosity 127Peace and Progress 128The Eminence of a Free Mind 130Self Love 131On Detraction 133The Time of Tribulation 134The Divine Assistance 135Disregard of All Things Created 137Renouncing Cupidity 140Inconstancy of Our Heart 141The Love of God 142Insecurity Against Temptation 144Vain Judgments 146Resignation of Ourselves 147Government of Ourselves 149Eagerness in Worldly Affairs 150Man Cannot Glory in Anything 151Contempt for Temporal Honour 153Peace is Not to be Placed in Men 153Against Vain Learning 155Deadness to Exterior Things 156Men Are Prone to Offend 157Confidence in God 160Things to be Endured 162Of the Day of Eternity 164Desire of Eternal Life 167An Offering to God 170Practice of Humble Works 174Man Unworthy of Consolation 175The Grace of God 177Nature and Grace 178The Corruption of Nature 182On Self Denial 185Evils of Dejection 187Searching into High Matters 189All Our Hope in God 193Of the Blessed SacramentHow Christ is to be Received 199The Great Goodness of God 204On Frequent Communion 207Benefits to Devout Communicants 209Dignity of the Sacrament 212A Petition Before Communion 214Resolution of Amendment 214The Oblation of Christ 216An Offering to God 218The Holy Communion 220The Body of Christ 223Preparation for Communion 226Desires of a Devout Soul 228Desire to Receive Jesus 230Humility and Self-Denial 231Laying Open Our Necessities 233Desire to Serve Christ 234That a Man Follow Christ 236