Of the Imitation of Christ/Book III/Chapter I

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Of the Imitation of Christ
by Thomas à Kempis, translated by unknown translator
Book III: Chapter I
2638395Of the Imitation of Christ — Book III: Chapter Inot mentionedThomas à Kempis

CHAPTER I.

OF CHRIST SPEAKING INWARDLY TO THE FAITHFUL SOUL.

IWILL hearken what the Lord God will speak in me.

Blessed is the soul which heareth the Lord speaking within her, and receiveth from His mouth the word of consolation.

Blessed are the ears that gladly receive the pulses of the Divine whisper, and give no heed to the many whisperings of this world.

Blessed indeed are those ears which listen not after the voice which is sounding without, but for the Truth teaching within.

Blessed are the eyes which are shut to outward things, but intent on eternal things.

Blessed are they that enter far into inward things, and endeavour to prepare themselves, more and more, by daily exercises, for the receiving of heavenly secrets.

Blessed are they who are glad to have time to spare for God, and who shake off all worldly impediments.

2. Consider these things, my soul, and shut up the door of thy sensual desires, that thou mayest hear what the Lord thy God shall speak in thee.

Thus saith thy Beloved, I am thy Salvation, thy Peace, and thy Life; keep thyself with Me, and thou shalt find peace.

Let go all transitory things, and seek those that be everlasting.

What are all temporal things, but snares? and what can all creatures avail thee, if thou be forsaken by the Creator.

Bid farewell, therefore, to all things else, and labour to please thy Creator, and to be faithful unto Him, that so thou mayest be able to attain unto true blessedness.