Of The Imitation Of Christ
Though poor to the outer eye, within they were filled with grace and heavenly benedictions. To-morrow is an uncertain day; and how knowest thou that thou shalt have a to-morrow? Pray therefore humbly unto the Lord that He will give thee the spirit of compunction and say in the language of the prophet, Feed me, O Lord, with bread of tears, and give me plenteousness of tears to drink. Read online & download The Imitation of Christ.
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Of The Imitation Of Christ
Whensoever a man desireth aught above measure, immediately he becometh restless. We ought to make our resolutions from one Feast to another, as if each were the period of our departure from this world, and of entering into the eternal feast. O the coldness and negligence of our times, that we so quickly decline from the former love, and it is become a weariness to live, because of sloth and lukewarmness. And so much of the first particular, namely, what the imitation of Christ implies and comprises in it. Another, when there are found many more learned and more skilled. It is no harm to thee if thou place thyself below all others; but it is great harm if thou place thyself above even one.
1: 3. and so Christ's sacrifice was offered unto God, Eph. 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. Strive, therefore, to turn away thy heart from the love of the things that are seen, and to set it upon the things that are not seen. But the boldness of wicked men springeth from pride and presumption, and at the last turneth to their own confusion. When we draw near the time of the great feasts, good exercises should be renewed, and the prayers of holy men more fervently besought. He envieth none, because he longeth for no selfish joy; nor doth he desire to rejoice in himself, but longeth to be blessed in God as the highest good. Learn now to suffer a little, that then thou mayest be enabled to escape heavier sufferings. A good life maketh a man wise toward God, and giveth him experience in many things. Then enduring patience shall have more might than all the power of the world. O Christians, tread in the steps of Christ's example, do nothing grudgingly for God, let not his commands be grievous, 1 John 5: 3. The Imitation of Christ: Book 4 Chapter 14. "He that saith he abided in him, ought himself also to walk, even as he walked. " O that in this also the poorest Christians would imitate their Saviour, and learn to manage an afflicted condition with a contented spirit: Let there be no murmurs, complaints, or foolish charges of God heard from you, whatever straits or troubles he brings you into: For, First, The meanest and most afflicted Christian is owner of many rich, invaluable mercies, Eph. And this should be our endeavour, even to master self, and thus daily to grow stronger than self, and go on unto perfection.
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Fifthly, The imitation of Christ necessarily implies the defectiveness and imperfection of the best of men in this life; for if the life of Christ be our pattern, the best and holiest of men must confess they come short in every thing of the rule of their duty. "Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us. " Never rejoice unless when thou hast done well. "I am a worm, and no man. "
Many die suddenly and unexpectedly. Look that thou cleave not to them lest thou be taken with them and perish. Count not thyself better than others, lest perchance thou appear worse in the sight of God, who knoweth what is in man. Secondly, Deny your civil self for Christ; whether they be gifts of the mind, Phil. Deny your religious self, even your own graces, comparatively, not in the notion of duties, but in the notion of righteousness: and to encourage you in this difficult work, consider, First, What great things Christ denied for you, and what small matters you have to deny for him. Thou shalt keep thine integrity. We must rather seek for what is profitable in Scripture, than for what ministereth to subtlety in discourse.
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Ask not, who hath said this or that, but look to what he says. He ascribeth good to none save to God only, the Fountain whence all good proceedeth, and the End, the Peace, the joy of all Saints. There was much inward beauty in him, and so there ought to be in all his followers; our holiness, like Christ's, must be sincere and real, Eph. It is supposed by some expositors, that the apostle, in laying down this mark, had a special design to overthrow the wicked doctrine of the Carpocratians, who taught (as Epiphanius relates it) that men might have as much communion with God in sin as in duty. Nevertheless, we must watch, especially in the beginnings of temptation; for then is the foe the more easily mastered, when he is not suffered to enter within the mind, but is met outside the door as soon as he hath knocked. Hate your own life, in competition with his glory, as well as your natural lusts, Tit. With the exception of the Bible, no Christian writing has had so wide a vogue or so sustained a popularity as this. No man is so perfect in holiness that he hath never temptations, nor can we ever be wholly free from them. Secondly, Consider the mischievous effects it produces; it estrangeth the soul from God, Psal. Whilst they lived they seemed to be somewhat, but now no one speaks of them. Fourthly, Remember that your self-denial is a condition consented to, and subscribed by yourselves, if ever you received Christ aright. O how great was the love of all religious persons at the beginning of this sacred institution! If thou art unwilling to suffer any adversity, how shalt thou be the friend of Christ? Not as if no other duty but love were required in the law, but because no act of obedience is acceptable to God, but that which is performed in love.
The noble Bereans were also commended for searching the scriptures, and examining the apostles' doctrine by it; and it was a good reply of the father to a clamorous disputant, crying, Hear me, hear me; "I will neither hear thee, nor do thou hear me; but let us both hear Christ. Oftentimes we perceive not how great is our inward blindness. Thou must go through fire and water that God may bring thee into a wealthy place. In England there exist many manuscripts of the first three books, called "Musica Ecclesiastica, " frequently ascribed to the English mystic Walter Hilton. Keep thine heart free, and lifted up towards God, for here have we no continuing city. Why thinkest thou that thou shalt live long, when thou art not sure of a single day? Understandest them well, know also that there are many more. Turn thee with all thine heart to the Lord and forsake this miserable world, and thou shalt find rest unto thy soul. Besides, Earthly, Your lot falls by divine direction upon you, and as bad as it is, it is much easier and sweeter than the condition of Christ in this world was: Yet he was contented, and why not you? Be thou watchful and diligent in God's service, and bethink thee often why thou hast renounced the world. Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not. Amtsgericht Augsburg HRB 16890.
Summary Of The Imitation Of Christ
Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. Strive now to live in such wise that in the hour of death thou mayest rather rejoice than fear. And O what a triumphant shout was that upon the cross at the accomplishment of his work, John 19: 30. 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 discipline and give not thyself up to senseless mirth. Trust not in thy learning, nor in the cleverness of any that lives, but rather trust in the favour of God, who resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble. It is said of him, Acts 10: 38. Now there are divers great and weighty truths supposed and implied in this imitation of Christ, or walking as he walked, viz. For the kingdom of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, and it is not given to the wicked.
Wherefore it is written in Job, The life of man upon the earth is a trial. In his actions, not refusing the meanest office, John 3: 14. Revert "[Editorial] divers -> diverse". By two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity and purity. And much after the same rate Salvian brings in the wicked of his time, stumbling at the looseness of professors, and saying, Where is that catholic law which they believe?
Many a time I wish that I had held my peace, and had not gone amongst men. How sweet and pleasant is it to see zealous and godly brethren temperate and of good discipline; and how sad is it and grievous to see them walking disorderly, not practising the duties to which they are called. If thou wilt know and learn anything. Thus cometh death to all, and the life of men swiftly passeth away like a shadow.