The Imitation of Christ
c.1420
- The First Book Admonitions Profitable for the Spiritual Life
- Chapter I Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities
- Chapter II Of thinking humbly of oneself
- Chapter III Of the knowledge of truth
- Chapter IV Of prudence in action
- Chapter V Of the reading of Holy Scriptures
- Chapter VI Of inordinate affections
- Chapter VII Of fleeing from vain hope and pride
- Chapter VIII Of the danger of too much familiarity
- Chapter IX Of Obedience and Subjection
- Chapter X Of the danger of superfluity of words
- Chapter XI Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress
- Chapter XII Of the uses of adversity
- Chapter XIII Of resisting temptation
- Chapter XIV On avoiding rash judgment
- Chapter XV Of works of charity
- Chapter XVI Of bearing with the faults of others
- Chapter XVII Of a Religious life
- Chapter XVIII Of the example of the holy fathers
- Chapter XIX Of the exercises of a religious man
- Chapter XX Of the love of solitude and silence
- Chapter XXI Of compunction of heart
- Chapter XXII On the contemplation of human misery
- Chapter XXIII Of meditation upon death
- Chapter XXIV Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked
- Chapter XXV Of the zealous amendment of our whole life
- Introductory Note
- The Second Book Admonitions Concerning the Inner Life
- Chapter I Of the inward life
- Chapter II Of lowly submission
- Chapter III Of the good, peaceable man
- Chapter IV Of a pure mind and simple intention
- Chapter V Of self-esteem
- Chapter VI Of the joy of a good conscience
- Chapter VII Of loving Jesus above all things
- Chapter VIII Of the intimate love of Jesus
- Chapter IX Of the lack of all comfort
- Chapter X Of gratitude for the Grace of God
- Chapter XI Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus
- Chapter XII Of the royal way of the Holy Cross
- The Third Book On Inward Consolation
- Chapter I Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul
- Chapter II What the truth saith inwardly without noise of words
- Chapter III
- Chapter IV How we must walk in truth and humility before God
- Chapter V Of the wonderful power of the Divine Love
- Chapter VI Of the proving of the true lover
- Chapter VII Of hiding our grace under the guard of humility
- Chapter VIII Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God
- Chapter IX That all things are to be referred to God, as the final end
- Chapter X That it is sweet to despise the world and to serve God
- Chapter XI That the desires of the heart are to be examined and governed
- Chapter XII Of the inward growth of patience, and of the struggle against evil desires
- Chapter XIII Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus Christ
- Chapter XIV
- Chapter XV How we must stand and speak, in everything that we desire
- Chapter XVI That true solace is to be sought in God alone
- Chapter XVII That all care is to be cast upon God
- Chapter XVIII That temporal miseries are to be borne patiently after the example of Christ
- Chapter XIX Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient
- Chapter XX Of confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life
- Chapter XXI That we must rest in God above all goods and gifts
- Chapter XXII Of the recollection of God’s manifold benefits
- Chapter XXIII Of four things which bring great peace
- Chapter XXIV Of avoiding of curious inquiry into the life of another
- Chapter XXV Wherein firm peace of heart and true profit consist
- Chapter XXVI
- Chapter XXVII That personal love greatly hindereth from the highest good
- Chapter XXVIII Against the tongues of detractors
- Chapter XXIX How when tribulation cometh we must call upon and bless God
- Chapter XXX Of seeking divine help, and the confidence of obtaining grace
- Chapter XXXI Of the neglect of every creature, that the Creator may be found
- Chapter XXXII Of self-denial and the casting away all selfishness
- Chapter XXXIII Of instability of the heart, and of directing the aim towards God
- Chapter XXXIV That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all things
- Chapter XXXV That there is no security against temptation in this life
- Chapter XXXVI Against vain judgments of men
- Chapter XXXVII Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining liberty of heart
- Chapter XXXVIII
- Chapter XXXIX That man must not be immersed in business
- Chapter XL That man hath no good in himself, and nothing whereof to glory
- Chapter XLI Of contempt of all temporal honour
- Chapter XLII That our peace is not to be placed in men
- Chapter XLIII Against vain and worldly knowledge
- Chapter XLIV Of not troubling ourselves about outward things
- Chapter XLV That we must not believe everyone, and that we are prone to fall in our words
- Chapter XLVI Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us
- Chapter XLVII That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life
- Chapter XLVIII Of the day of eternity and of the straitnesses of this life
- Chapter XLIX
- Chapter L How a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God
- Chapter LI
- Chapter LII
- Chapter LIII That the Grace of God doth not join itself to those who mind earthly things
- Chapter LIV Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace
- Chapter LV Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace
- Chapter LVI That we ought to deny ourselves, and to imitate Christ by means of the Cross
- Chapter LVII That a man must not be too much cast down when he falleth into some faults
- Chapter LVIII Of deeper matters, and God’s hidden judgments which are not to be inquired into
- Chapter LIX That all hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone
- The Fourth Book Of the Sacrament of the Altar
- A devout exhortation to the Holy Communion
- Chapter I With how great reverence Christ must be received
- Chapter II That the greatness and charity of God is shown to men in the Sacrament
- Chapter III That it is profitable to Communicate often
- Chapter IV That many good gifts are bestowed upon those who Communicate devoutly
- Chapter V Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest
- Chapter VI An inquiry concerning preparation for Communion
- Chapter VII Of the examination of conscience, and purpose of amendment
- Chapter VIII Of the oblation of Christ upon the cross, and of resignation of self
- Chapter IX
- Chapter X That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted
- Chapter XI
- Chapter XII
- Chapter XIII
- Chapter XIV
- Chapter XV That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and self-denial
- Chapter XVI That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ and to require His Grace
- Chapter XVII Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving Christ
- Chapter XVIII