SELECTED BY THE REV. J. H. VINCENT, D.D.
[December 2.]
FROM THE “CHRISTIAN’S PATTERN.”
By THOMAS À KEMPIS.
“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 our chief endeavor be to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ.
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.
It is therefore vanity to seek after perishing riches.
It is also vanity to seek honors.
It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh, and to labor 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.
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.
There are many things, to know which doth little profit the soul.
And he is very unwise, that minds any other things than those that tend to the welfare of his soul.
Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a pure conscience giveth confidence toward God.
The more thou knowest, and the better thou understandest, the more grievously shalt thou be judged, unless thy life be the more holy.
Be not therefore lifted up; but rather let the knowledge given thee make thee afraid.
If thou thinkest that thou knowest much: yet there are many more things which thou knowest not.
Be not over wise, but rather acknowledge thine own ignorance.
The highest and most profitable lesson is, the true knowledge of ourselves.
It is great wisdom to esteem ourselves nothing, and to think always well and highly of others.
We are all frail, but remember, none more frail than thyself.
[December 9.]
It is good that we be sometimes contradicted; and that men think ill of us, and this, although we do not intend well.
For then we more diligently seek God for our inward witness, when outwardly we are contemned by men.
Wherefore a man should settle himself so fully in God, that he need not seek comforts of men.
When a man is afflicted, tempted, or troubled with evil thoughts; then he understandeth better the great need he hath of God.
So long as we live in this world, we can not be without temptation.
Hence it is written in Job, “The life of man is a warfare upon earth.”
Temptations are often very profitable to men, though they be troublesome and grievous; for in them a man is humbled, purified, and instructed.
All the saints have passed through, and profited by, many tribulations, and temptations:
And they that could not bear temptations, became reprobates and fell away.
There is no place so secret, where there are no temptations.
There is no man that is altogether secure from temptations while he liveth.
When one temptation goeth away, another cometh; and we shall ever have something to suffer.
Many seek to fly temptations, and fall more grievously into them.
By flight alone we can not overcome, but by patience and humility we conquer all our enemies.
He that only avoideth them outwardly, and doth not pluck them up by the roots, shall profit little: yea, temptations will soon return unto him, and he shall feel them worse than before.
By patience (through God’s help) thou shalt more easily overcome, than by harsh and disquieting efforts in thy own strength.
Often take counsel in temptations; and deal not roughly with him that is tempted.
The beginning of temptation is inconstancy of mind, and little confidence in God.
For as a ship without a rudder is tossed to and fro with the waves, so the man that is negligent is many ways tempted.
Fire trieth iron, and temptation a just man.
We know not often what we are able to do: but temptations show us what we are.
We must be watchful, especially in the beginning of the temptation; for the enemy is then more easily overcome, if he be not suffered to enter the door of your hearts, but be resisted without the gate at his first knock.
Wherefore one said, “Withstand the beginning: for an after remedy comes too late.”
First, there occurreth to the mind a simple evil thought; then a strong imagination; afterward delight; and lastly consent.
And so by little and little our malicious enemy getteth entrance, while he is not resisted in the beginning.
And the longer one is slack in resisting, the weaker he becomes daily, and the enemy stronger against him.
Some suffer the greatest temptation in the beginning of their conversion; others in the latter end.
Others again are much troubled almost throughout their life.
Some are but slightly tempted, according to the wisdom which weigheth the states of men, and ordereth all things for the good of his elect.
We ought therefore, when we are tempted, so much the more fervently to pray unto God; who surely will give with the temptation, a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it.
Let us therefore humble ourselves under the hand of God, in all temptations and tribulations; for he will exalt the humble in spirit.
In temptations and afflictions a man is proved how much he hath profited.
Neither is it any such great thing if a man be devout and fervent, when he feeleth no affliction; but if in time of adversity he bear himself patiently, there is hope then of great proficiency.
Some are kept from great temptations, and are overcome in small ones; that being humbled, they may never trust themselves in great matters, who are baffled in so small things.
[December 16.]
Turn thine eyes unto thyself, and beware thou judge not the deeds of other men.
In judging others a man laboreth in vain, often erreth, and easily sinneth; but in judging and examining himself, he always laboreth fruitfully.
We often judge of things according as we fancy them: for affection bereaves us easily of a right judgment.
If God were always our desire, we should not be so much troubled when our inclinations were opposed.
But oftentimes something lurks within, which draweth us after it.
Many secretly seek themselves in their actions, but know it not.
They live in peace of mind when things are done according to their will: but if things succeed otherwise than they desire, they are straightway troubled.
Diversity of inclinations and opinions often causes dissensions between religious persons, between friends and countrymen.
An old custom is hardly broken, and no man is willing to be led farther than himself can see.
If thou dost more rely upon thine own reason, than upon Jesus Christ, late, if ever, shalt thou become illuminated.
The outward work without charity, profiteth nothing; but whatsoever is done out of charity, be it ever so little and contemptible in the sight of the world, is wholly fruitful.
For God weigheth more with how much love one worketh, than how much he doeth.
He doth much that loveth much.
He doth much that doth a thing well.
He doth well that serveth his neighbor, and not his own will.
Often it seemeth to be charity, and it is rather carnality; because natural inclinations, self-will, hope of reward, and desire of our own interest, are motives that men are rarely free from.
He that hath true and perfect charity seeketh himself in nothing; but only desireth in all things that God should be exalted.
He envieth none, because he seeketh not his own satisfaction; neither rejoiceth in himself, but chooses God only for his portion.
He attributes nothing that is good to any man, but wholly referreth it unto God, from whom, as from the fountain, all things proceed: in whom finally all the saints rest.
O that he had but one spark of true charity, he would certainly discern that all earthly things are full of vanity!
[December 23.]
When one that was in great anxiety of mind, often wavering between fear and hope, did once humbly prostrate himself in prayer, and said, O, if I knew that I should persevere! he presently heard within him an answer from God which said, If thou didst know it, what wouldst thou do? Do what thou wouldst do then, and thou shalt be safe.
And being herewith comforted and strengthened, he committed himself wholly to the will of God, and his anxiety ceased:
Neither had he any mind to search curiously farther what should befall him; but rather labored to understand what was the perfect and acceptable will of God, for the beginning and accomplishing every good work.
Hope in the Lord, and do good, saith the prophet, and inhabit the land, and thou shalt be fed.
One thing there is that draweth many back from a spiritual progress, and diligent amendment; the horror of the difficulty, or the labor of the combat.
But they improve most in virtue, that endeavor most to overcome those things which are grievous and contrary to them.
For there a man improveth more, and obtaineth greater grace, where he more overcometh himself and mortifieth himself in spirit.
Gather some profit to thy soul wheresoever thou art; so if thou seest or hearest of any good examples, stir up thyself to the imitation thereof.
But if thou seest anything worthy of reproof, beware thou doest not the same.—And if at any time thou hast done it, labor quickly to amend it.
Be mindful of the profession thou hast made, and have always before thine eyes the remembrance of thy Savior crucified.
Thou hast good cause to be ashamed, looking upon the life of Jesus Christ, seeing thou hast as yet no more endeavored to conform thyself unto him, though thou hast walked a long time in the way of God.
A religious person that exerciseth himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord shall there abundantly find whatsoever is necessary and profitable for him; neither shall he need seek any better thing out of Jesus.
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER.
Come thou O Lord, and dwell within me, giving me light, and love, and liberty. May the spirit of the sweet Christmas Child possess me! May the Star of Bethlehem abide above my dwelling place! May the angels who seek thee be drawn toward me, and surround my path! May their song fill my life. Glory to God in the highest. On earth peace, good will to men.
[December 30.]
This life will soon be at an end; consider therefore how thy affairs stand as to the next.
Man is here to-day; to-morrow he is gone.
When he is out of sight, he is soon forgotten.
Thou shouldst so order thyself in all thy thoughts and all thy actions, as if thou wert to die to-day.
Hadst thou a clear conscience, thou wouldst not fear death.
It were better to avoid sin than to fly death.
If thou art not prepared to-day, how wilt thou be to-morrow?
To-morrow is uncertain, and how knowest thou that thou shalt live till to-morrow?
What availeth to live long, when we are so little the better?
Alas! long life doth not always mend us; but often increased guilt.
O, that we had spent but one day well in this world!
When it is morning, think thou mayst die before night.
When evening comes, dare not to promise thyself the next morning.
Be therefore always in readiness; and so live that death may never take thee unprepared.
Many die suddenly, and when they look not for it; for “in such an hour as you think not, the Son of man cometh.” Matt. xxiv: 44.
When that last hour shall come, thou wilt have a far different opinion of thy whole life.
How wise and happy is he, that laboreth to be such in his life as he would wish to be found at the hour of his death.
Whilst thou art in health, thou mayst do much good, but when thou art sick, I know not what thou wilt be able to do.
Few by sickness grow better; and they who travel much are seldom sanctified.
Trust not in friends and kindred, neither put off the care of thy soul till hereafter, for man will sooner forget thee than thou art aware of.
If thou art not careful for thyself now, who will be careful for thee hereafter?
The time present is very precious; now are the days of salvation, now is the acceptable time.
But alas! that thou shouldst spend thy time no better here, where thou mightest purchase life eternal. The time will come when thou shalt desire one day or hour to amend in, and I can not say it will be granted thee.
Ah fool! why dost thou think to live long, when thou canst not promise thyself one day!
How many have been deceived, and suddenly snatched away!
How often dost thou hear, such a man is slain, another is drowned, a third has broken his neck with a fall; this man died eating, and that playing?
One perished by fire, another by sword, another of the plague, another was slain by thieves! Thus death is the end of all, and man’s life suddenly passeth away like a shadow.
Who shall remember thee when thou art dead? Do, do now, my beloved, whatsoever thou art able to do: for thou knowest not when thou shalt die, nor yet what shall be after thy death.
Now, while thou hast time, lay up for thyself everlasting riches.
Keep thy heart free, and lifted up to God, because thou hast here no abiding city.
Send thither thy daily prayers, and sighs, and tears, that after death thy spirit may happily pass to the Lord. Amen.
