Preface

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The Chriftians Pattern :
O R, A V-V-
TREATISE
OF nr FT F
IMITATION
O F
Jefiis Chrilt.
In Four BOOKS
V Written Originally ill Latin by TH 0 M AS a Lj E M T I S. »-
Now Rendered into F. N o l i s h.
To which are added,
FOR SICK PERSONS.
By GEORG E STAI^HOP E, D. D. Dean of Qanterlurj^ and Chaplain in Or- dinary to Her Majeily.
London: Printed by 7. Roberts^ for D.fir^jww, without Tt-^wp/^- Bar ; R. Sare, in Holborn ; AT. Wotton^ in Flccflreet ; B.Tooke^ at the Mlddle-Temple-gate in Flcetfireet ; B. Barker, in IVejl-^ minJier-Halt; andff Clemcntf^inS.PuvSs Chjrchyard. 1708.
To iKe Honoured
Mrs* Julia Shalcrojfe
O F
Batfield Woodhall in Hertfordpire,
Madam*
IT is not meerly from an Ami it z on to make iJsi mqfl puUick ?rofejfion of my Gratitude ^ that I take the Confidence of prefenting Tou with this Book ; iut becaufe I apprehend it^ in a petuli^ ar wanner^ fuitahle to your Circumftances^ and qua- lified for a favourahlt Acceptance, the conflani Strain of Piety ^ which animates the whole Com-- pofition^ will not fail to reccmmend it to fo Epc^ cellent and Devout a Perfon : And the many mo^ ving Reflexions upon AffliXed Firtue are fo txaS:l^ calculated for thofe Tryals^ which the Divine Pro- vidence (^always Wife and Good ^ hath thought fit to exercife you with; that ^ as they pajfed under my Pen^ they frequently hrowht Tou into m^ thoughts: Tou^ Madam^ who have fo great Oc^ xafion for^ fo jufl a title to^ thofe true Com- forts adminiflred here. For indeed the only true Comforts in trouble^ are fuch as Religion fupphes Men with* And thofe (^Madam^ are fo powerful^ th^t /
A z tAft
The Epiftle Dedicatory.
cannot hut promife wy felfy Tou will tajlt the Jlveet Refrejhmentsthey Ir'ing^ if thefe Meditattom jhallhe alloivtd the Privilege of hearing you Company in your mojl melancholy Retirements.
My Defign in Puhlifhing this Booky as it fJom ap' pearsy ivas to recommend ^ and render it ferviceahle to all Chrijiian Readers in general. But among Them there is not Any^ in contributing to vohofe Be- neft andSatisfa^ion I Jhould efleem my Labours more fuccefsfully anfwered^ than to Tours, Who have Ij fo many Injlances of Goodnefs ohliged me to he with all poffihle Sincerity andRefpe^j
M A D A M,
Your moll AfFedionate Confin, and moft Humble Servant^
G E o> St a n h o pe»
THE
I
THE
PREFACE
T O T H E
READER
TH E Reputation of this Little Book, with which the Reader is here prefented, feems abundantly eftabhflied, by the great Pains taken to communicate it to Man- kind, in mod Languages of the Chriftian World. But, Tmce the Enghjh Verfion hitherto in ufe, w^as in fome Places grown obfolete, and in many fell fhort of that Life and Spirit requifite for fuch Devotional Trads, it was thought expedi- ent to recommend it by a Style more modern, and a littie better fuited to Subjeds of this Na- ture.
In this Attempt the Latin o^Caftalio is chiefly followed \ He hath taken fome liberty in places peculiarly relating to the Romifh Superftitions. And the prefent Tranflator hath not only trodden in his Steps thus far; but, in the Chapters which concern a Monkifh Life particulary, hath endea- voured fo to exprefs himfelf for the moft part> as that fuch Meditations might be accommoda- ted to the Circumllances of any Pious Chrifrian,
A 3 who
the PREFACE.
who declines the Pleafures and Bufmefs, and o- ther Interruptions of the World, and fequeftershim- (elf to the Exercife of Devotion and feverer Vir- tues.
This was thought mofl agreeable to the great Pefign he had in view, That of rendring thefe Reflections of general Ufe to the World. For which reafon alfo, he hath not been nicely clofe in many of the Flights ufual with thefe Contem- plative and Myftical Divines. Thinking it better, either to give thofe Rapturous Paflages another Turn; or, by Additions and lUuilrations of his own, to bring them down to the common Condi- tion of Human Life, and fit them for the Mouths pf every Snicere PracSiical Chriflian.
In order to preferve the Zeal and Spirit of the Author, it was found neceflary, fcmetimes to abridge, and at others to enlarge a Thought, and carry it a little higher. All which the Reader hatii this Warning oi"^, to prevent any Objedions which migiit othcrwife be raifed againftthe Faith- fplnefs or an Undertaking; Intended not fo mucl^ to acquaint EnqUjkmen what Kewpis thought, as to convey thofe Thoughts with fome degree of that Kpriglitlinefs and Aiiedionate Warmth, which the Original Cpmpofer at firft felt from them.
And becaufe the Reader wall perhaps expect: fcv'ne Account of Him, here follows in brief the Svbllance of Vvhat /^^yit^^i^ hath delivered cpa- .pprning bitTie
^^This
The P R E F A C E.
*' T\\isThomas was called aKempis from a little " Village of that Name, in theDiocefeof Q/^^;/f, *' where he was borninthe Year ot our Lord I'^So. His Parentage and Fortune were mean ,• At Thir- teen Years old he began his Studies, and about Nineteen betook himfelf toa Monaftery o{ Au-
*'g^7?/» Monks; About Five and twenty he took '' the Habit of that Houfe and Order. There he
continued for the fpace of Seventy Years, par- ticularly eminent for his Piety, Humility, dili- ** gent Study of the Holy Scriptures, Aufterity of *' Life, moving Eloquence in Difcourfe, and ex- ** traordinary Zeal in Prayer. For his Perfon, He *' was of middle Stature, of a ftrong brown Com- *' plexion, a lively piercing Eye ; and a Sight fo *' good, that tho' he laboured much under other Infirmities of old Age, yet he was never redu- ced to the ufe of Spedacles. He died July xj. *' 1 47 1, in the Ninety fecond Year of his Age.
As to the Difpute, whether this Book were of his Compofition, I am content to lubmitto com- mon Fame, and leave him in quiet pofleliion, not feeing of what confequence it can be, to call his Title in queftion, or examine into the Merits of other Pretenders.
«(
(C
THE
THE
CONTENTS.
Cl^e jft'rft 55oofi.
Chap. Page.
I f^F the Contempt of the Fa?iitief of the Worlds %
I V_y Modejiy^ 4
3 The Do^rins of Truth f 6
4 Prudence in our Behaviour, II
5 0/ Reading the Holy Scripwef, 1 2
6 Of Inordinate JjfeifionSy 13
7 DireBions for avoiding Pride, and Vain Confidences , 14
8 ^gainft too general an Acquaintance , and inconvenient Freedoms in
Converfation, J 6
9 Obedience and a State of SuhjeEiion, 1 7
10 Fevi> JVods are befiy 18
II Of Peace of Mind, and a Defire of Improvement^ 20
12 The Advantage of AjfliBionSj 23
13 Of Rejijlng Temptations, 24
14 Again fi Rajh Judgifig, 29
15 Of Works of Charity, 30
16 Of Bearing with other Metis Faults, 32 J 7 AReclufeLife, " 3 J ZS of the Examples of Holy Men inforjner Agct^ 35
19 r^^ Ex ere if e of a truly Religious Perfon, 39
20 Love of Solitude and Silence, - 44
21 Of Compunction of Heart, 48
22 r>&^ Miferable Condition of Man confidered, 52
23 Meditations concerning Death, ■ 57
24 0/ ?/7^ Z^j? Judgment , ^77^ /^^ Eternal Punijhment of Ungodly
Men, 62
25 0/ Zeal in (he Reformation of our Lives, 6S
€]&e
The CONTENTS.
Chap. Page.
1 1^ H E Life of the Spiritual Man, yj
2 ■• The Mvantageof HHmility, gj
3 The Peace-makerf g^
4 Purity and Sincerity, Sj
5 Kmwthyfelf ZH
6 The Joy of a good Confcimce^ 90
7 0/ Loving Jeftu above all things, ^ 94
8 0/ intimate Converfation and Frtendjhif with Jefuf, 96
9 The Difconfolate State^ ^ 99
10 Thankfuhefs for Gocts Mercies, 1 04 J I Of Loving Chrifi in u^ffli^ion, 107 12 T/^g Reafonablenefs of taking up our Crofs, 1 1^
Digefled into Conferences between Christ and the Soul of his Difciple.
CJiap. Page.
1 P* HE Happinefs of fuch a Converfation, 1 2 1
2 God IS in thefmallJiiU Voice ^ 123
3 Of theG^neralDifregardtoGod' sWordjOndtheOhediencs due to it, 12$
4 A Prayer for Heavenly InfiruBion and Devotion^ 128
5 Walk humbly with thy God, and worjhip Him in Truth, 1 29 ^ The Power of the Love of God,. 132 1 The Try al of true Love, 136
8 Grace Tnuji be received without Ojientation, 1^0
9 of Acknowledging our XJnworthinefs before God, 143 fo Of doing M to the Glory of God, I45 H Cod's Service isperfc^ freedom, 147
1 2 Of Regulating our Dejires, 1 50
1 3 The Necejjity and Reafonablenefs of Patience, i J3
1 4 Obedience to Superiors ; enforced by Chrijfs Example, 15^
15 God s Judgments are ta be conjtdered, f^ our Humiliation, 158 J
1 7 A Prayer for Grace to do the Will of Cod, l6z
1 8 God u our only Comfort in Trouble, 1 6^ 190/ cafiing our Care upon God, J 6$ 20 Chrifi our Pattern of Patience in Affliciions, l6y ^i Of bearing Injitnes ; aud how wt way judge of true Patience, 1^9
2 2 The
The CONTENT S.
2 2 The Infirmities and Mifcries of our p-efent Statiy 1 71
£3 of Placing all our Hope find Happineff in God, JjS
2 4 -r^ Thankfgivivg for G od's Msrciefy 180 as The things which make for Peaccy 1-8 j
26 j4 Prayer again fl Evil Thoughts, 1 8^
27 ji Prayer for Spiritual Illumination, l8tf
28 Again f a bu[t2 inqui fit ive Temper, 187 1^ of lajiing Peace, ayid true Goodnefs, 188 30 rr«? Freedom of Mind, 1 90
3 I Self Love the gre/itejl Ohjiruciion to Virtue a*id Happinefs, 192 32 y^ Prayer for Purity of Heart, and Heavenly IVifdom, 19^ 3 3 How a ChriJ}ia?i ought to behave hiinfelf when Men fpeaJk Evil of
him, 19J
34 Horv God ought to be addrefs'd to in time of Jdvcr(tty, 197
3 5 How the Divine Jffiftancejhould be fought, and dip ended upon, 198
16 Offceking God alone, aoj
37 Of Self-Denial, 207
38 The Change ableneff of our Temper, and how to fix it, 209
39 The Happinefs of them who love God, 2 i f
40 This Life a State of C07itinual Temptation, 215
41 of Defpifing the vainCenfures of M:n, 215
42 Jl Chrifiian muU devote himf elf entirely to God before he can be
happy, ^ 218
43 How to govern One's f If in the A fairs of the World, 220
44 ^gaififi too great Eagernefs in Bu/tnefs, 22 1
45 /« Man dwellcth no good thing, 223 4
47 Happinefs is not to be had by the Favour or Friendfiip of Men, 226
48 y^gaivfi Vain and Pompous Learning, 227
49 of Meddling with the World, as little as may be, 230
50 Againli a fond and eafie Credulity, 231 5 I of trufiing in God, when Menfpeak III of m-, 234 5 2 Nothing too much to fujfer for Eternal Life, 2^j J 3 The Joys of Eternity, and Miferies of thisprefcnt Life, 240
54 of the Defire of Eternal Life, a7id the Happinefs of them rohojirive
manfully, 244
55 An AB of Kefignationto Godintime of Adverfity, - 248 55 A Man mufl be contented with meaner ABs of Virtue, when he is in^
difpofcdfor greater, 252
57 A Man Jhould think Correction, not Comfort, his due, 253
58 The Grace of God dwells not with worUly'ininded Men, 2$6
59 The different Motions of Nature and Grace, 258
60 The Weaknefs of Corrupt Nature, and Efficacy of Divine Gracc,^i 0J Self-Dmial enforced from Chriffs Example, 26$
62 Again ft
The C O N T E N T S.
* I ^
6i JgalnH being dejeBed -with Temptatiofif, ■ z^j
'^l Again Ji Prying into. Things too high for us, and pretending to Fathom , • the Depths of God and Providence, 270
^4 Godu AU the Good Mans Hope and Confidence, 275
t Of the Lord' s Supper.
Chap. Pag.
1 nr H£ Reverence due to this Holy Sacrament, 279
2 * The Love of God to the Soul manifefied in this Sacrament, 288
3 The Benefit of Communicating often, 292
4 The Ple^fures of Devout Communion, 295
5 The Dignity of the Sacrament, and Honour of the Priefthood, 300
6 An ABof Preparation before the Sacrament, 303
7 of Self-Examination, 304
8 Chriil died for m, that wejhould live to Him, 307
9 An Aci of Self-Rcfignation, 309
10 The Sin and Mi f chief of Abfenting from the Lord's Supper, 311 J I The Benefit of Ch-ifs Body, and Word, 3 17 J 2 of Preparation to the Communion, 322 13 The Soul' sDe fire of Union roith Chrifi, 32^ l^ An AB of excitiyjg Devotion by the Example of Others, 327
1 > Grace is the Reward of Hu?nility and Self- Denial, 3 29 16 A Prayer for Relief in our Wants and Spiritual Difireffes, 331 J': An jiB of Praife, 333 J 8 Agaijiji Nice Difputes concerning this Sacrament, 336
MEDITATIONS and PRAYERS
for Sick Perfons.
Med. Pag.
J r T Pan Sickncfs in general, the Author, Caufes, and Ends of
La //, I
2 of the Power of God, and the AffeBions arifing from thence, Dread
of his Anger ^ and Trufi in his Proteclion, 7
3 OftheJufticeofGed: And the Petiitential Sorrow refulting from
it, 13
4 Of the Wifdom and Goodnefs of God, 1 8
5 Upon Recovery from Sicknefs, 24
6 Of Death, ' 38
OF
im
r = i I
X'
OF THE
IMITATION
O F
Jefus Chrift.
Cl^e f irft 58oofi.
Chap. I.
Of the Contempt of the Vanities of the World.
HE . that follovjeth me^ fiallmt 7valk in Dark-' nefsy hut (Ijall have the Light (fLife^ j^r^^ yilj^ j^^ faysthatChrift^who declares him- k\(the Light of the World. The true Impor- tance and Defign of which Words is doubtlefs to in- ftrud usj that the way to be truly Enlighrned, and to deliver our felves from all Biindnefs of Hearty is to make his Holy Life the Objed of our Imitation, and to form our Difpofitions and Adions upon the perfed Model of that bright Example. But how fliall we fol- low a Pattern, which we but little think of? The firft Step therefore toward thus Copying after him, is the employing our Thoughts, with great Frequency and ferious Attention, upon the Perfedions of this Divine Original,
2. The
a €)f tiie imttatfon BookL
■ ' ' ' ' ■!■ 1 ' . a--T ■ • , ■ ir , -
2. Ths Dodrine taughtby Chrift, excels all theln- ftru6tions deliver'd to Mankind by all the Holy Men that ever lived ^ and every Man, endued with a true Chriftian Spirit, will not fail there to find a hidden Manna, like that of old, fitted both to nourifli, and minifter Delight to his Soul. The true Account then of Mens hearing the Gofpel, without any fenfible Re- lifh, or eager DeHre, is, that they are not endued with the Spirit of Chrift : This is a Treafure found of them only who defire to find it * and a Man muft refolve and endeavour to form his whole Converfation upon the Principles of that Dodrine, before he can attain to a full Underftanding of its Excellence, and feel an in- ward Satisfa(5tion in the Study of it.
^. And here indeed lies the true benefit of Medita* tion and Knowledge. For, without this, how poor and unprofitable a thing is Speculation i What is a Man the better for entring into the Sublime Myfteries of the Trinity, and being able to difpute nicely upon that adorable Union, if in the mean while he want that Meeknefs and Humility, without which hemuft needs lie under the Difpleafure of the Trinity ^ Certain it is, that Difiindions and Notions, tho' never fo fubtle or ferviceable to the Truths do not make a Man Juft and Holy ; But a careful and confcientious Life recom- mends us to the Favour and Love of God. I had ra-* ther be aflfe(5ted with a true penitent Sorrow for Sin, than be able to refolve the mod difficult Cafes about it* Suppofeyou had all the Bible faithfully treafured up in your Memory, and a perfedl Comprehenfion of all the Moral Philofophy in the World; To what purpofe ferves this mighty Stock of Rules, if not drawn out in- to Ufe by Charicy, and feconded by Divine Grace j Ecdef. I. 2. ^^^i^/ of Canities, allisKmitj, faid the Preach* er; and his Obfervation admits of that fingle Exceprion only, taken notice of in the Conclufion of his B'>ok, Lov^ Goi, and kscf his CQmmandfnents, f&r this ■ i$