The following of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

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. 1800 edition. Excerpt: ...loved, and many feek to delight themfelves therein. The World is oftentimes Blamed, that it isdeceitfull and Vain, and Yet it is not eafily forfaken, becaufe the inclinations of our Flefh do too much over.rule us. Some things draw us to love it, others to contemn it, To the love of the World draws us the Concupifcence of the Flefh, the Conçu pifcence of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life: but the pains and miferies that do juftly follow them, caufeth a hatred and leathfomucfs thereof. 5. But alafs wicked pkafure overcometh the mind which is given over to the world; and fhe efteemeth it a delight to be under thorns,bccaufe fhe hath neither feen nor tailed the fweetneis of God, and the inward delight of vertue-But they that perfectly contemn the World, and endeavour to live to God under holy difcipline, thefe are not ignorant of the divine fweetnefs, promised to the true forfakers of the World,and do mere clearly iee how grievoufly, the World er" reth, how it js many ways deceived. CHAP, CHAP. XXI. That we are to truft in God ahove at bin gifts ABove all things, and in all things, my Soul, thou (hale ever reft in God, for he is the everlafting reft of the Saints, Grant me moft fweet and loving Tefu, to reft irá thee above all creatures, above all health and beauty, above all glory and honor, above all power and dignity, aboveall knowledgeand learning, above all riches andarts,above all joy and gladnefs, above all fame andpraile.above all fweetnefsand comfort, above all hope and proinife, above all merit anddefire, aboveall gifts and prefents that thoueanft give and impart unto us, above all joy and juhily that the mind of Man cad receive and feel; laftly, above Angels and Archangels, and above all the Heavenly Hoft, above all vifible...