Of the Imitation of Jesus Christ

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828 edition. Excerpt: ...beloved, to come unto thee, 61 and enlighten thy darkness with His Light. Abide faithfully with Him in this retirement, for thou canst find no such peace in any other place. Rogers, p. 45. 11. If thou hadst never gone abroad, and listened to idle reports, thou hadst better enjoyed this salutary peace. But, from the moment thou delightest to hear, and to tell news, thy heart becomes the prey of anxiety and perturbation. CHAPTER XXI. Of Compunction of Heart. 1. If thou wouldest make any progress in Prov. the Christian Life, keep thyself in the fear of GOD, and avoid excess of liberty; but restrain all thy senses within strict discipline, and guard thy spirit against intemperate mirth. Give up thyself to heartfelt compunction, and thou wilt soon feel enkindled in it the fire of devotion. Compunction opens a path to Infinite Good, which is instantly lost by dissipation and light merriment. It is wonderful, indeed, that any man should thoroughly rejoice in this life, who considers his state of banishment, and the multitude of dangers to which his soul is subjected: but through levity of heart, and the neglect of self-examination, we grow insensible of the disorders of ou souls; and often vainly laugh when with just reason we ought to mourn. There is however no true liberty, nor any solid joy, but in the fear of GOD, united with a pure conscience. A golden sentence: formed upon the language of 2. Blessed is the man, who can throw off every impediment of worldly distraction, and can concentrate his spirit within a holy compunction! Blessed is he, that can renounce every enjoyment that may either defile or burthen his conscience. Strive manfully; one custom is extirpated by another. If thou canst divorce thyself from men and their concerns, they will...