72 75 77 79 80 84 85 32. Of trusting in God when we are evil spoken of 113 8. We must offer ourselves to God, and pray for all 147 9. Christ and the Holy Scriptures are most necessary 149 10. How to prepare to communicate 11. A devout soul ought to desire union with Christ 153 12. The fervent desire of some devout persons...... 155 13. The grace of devotion is obtained by humility.. 156 THE CHRISTIAN'S PATTERN. BOOK I. CHAPTER I. Of the Imitation of Christ, and Contempt of the Vanities of the World. HE that followeth me walketh not in darkness, saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ, by which we are admonished, that we ought to imitate his life and manners, if we would be truly enlightened, and delivered from all blindness of heart. Let, therefore, your chief endeavour be, to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ. 2. What will it avail thee to dispute sublimely of the Trinity, if thou be void of humility, and art thereby displeasing to the Trinity? Truly, sublime words do not make a man holy and just; but a virtuous life maketh him dear to God. I had rather feel compunction, than know the definition thereof. If thou didst know the whole Bible, and the sayings of all the philosophers by heart, what would all that profit thee without the love of God? Vanity of vanities! all is vanity but to love God, and serve him only. 3. It is therefore vanity to seek after perishing riches. It is also vanity to seek honours. It is also vanity to follow the desires of the flesh, and to labour for that for which thou must afterward suffer grievous punishment. It is vanity to wish to live long and to be careless to live well. It is vanity to mind this present life, and not those things which are to come. It is vanity to set thy love on that which speedily passeth away; and not to hasten thither, where everlasting joys remain. CHAPTER II. Of Thinking Humbly of Ourselves. ALL men naturally desire to know; but what availeth knowledge without the fear of God? Surely an humble husbandman that serveth God, is better than a proud philosopher, that neglecting himself, studies the course of the heavens. He that knoweth himself is vile in his own eyes, and is not pleased with the praises of men. If I understood all things in the world, and had not charity, what would that help me in the sight of God, who will judge me according to my deeds? 2. Cease from an inordinate desire of knowing, therein is much distraction and deceit. |