Part 4

Take away from our hearts, O Lord, all suspiciousness, indignation, wrath, and contention, and whatsoever may hurt charity, and lessen brotherly love.

Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on those that crave Thy mercy, give grace unto them that stand in need thereof, and make us such as that we may be worthy to enjoy Thy grace, and go forward to life eternal. Amen.

—Thomas à Kempis

To Do Thy Will

O Lord, my God, Thou art to me whatsoever is good. Remember me because I am nothing, I have nothing, and I can do nothing. Thou alone art good, just, and holy; Thou canst do all things, Thou accomplishest all things, Thou fillest all things. Remember Thy mercies, and fill my heart with Thy grace, Thou who wilt not that Thy works should be void and in vain. Turn not Thy face away from me; withdraw not Thy consolation, lest my soul become as a thirsty land to Thee. Teach me, O Lord, to do Thy will; teach me to live worthily and humbly in Thy sight. Amen.

—Thomas à Kempis

My Salvation and My Redemption

In confidence of Thy goodness and great mercy, O Lord, I draw near unto Thee, as a sick person to the healer, as one hungry and thirsty to the fountain of life, a creature to the creator, a desolate soul to my own tender comforter. Behold, in Thee is all whatsoever I can or ought to desire; Thou art my salvation and my redemption, my hope and my strength. Rejoice therefore this day the soul of Thy servant; for unto Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. Amen.

—Thomas à Kempis

For the Holy Spirit

Strengthen me, O God, by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit. Grant me to be strengthened with might in the inner man, and to empty my heart of all useless care and anguish. O Lord, grant me heavenly wisdom, that I may learn above all things to seek and to find Thee, above all things to relish and to love Thee, and to think of all other things as being, what indeed they are, at the disposal of Thy wisdom. Amen.

—Thomas à Kempis

For Thee, O Lord

Lord, what is my confidence which I have in this life? Is it not Thou, O Lord, my God, whose mercies are without number? Where hath it ever been well with me without Thee, or where could it be ill with me, when Thou wert present? I rather choose to be a pilgrim on earth, than without Thee to possess heaven. Where Thou art, there is heaven; and where Thou art not, there is death and hell. There is none that can help me in my necessities, but only Thou, my God; Thou art my hope, Thou my confidence. Although Thou exposest me to divers temptations and adversities, yet Thou orderest all this to my advantage; in which trial of me Thou oughtest no less to be loved and praised, than if Thou didst fill me full of heavenly consolations. Amen.

—Thomas à Kempis

For Consolation

O Thou most sweet and loving Lord, Thou knowest mine infirmities, and the necessities which I endure; in how great evils and sins I am involved; how often I am weighed down, tempted, and disturbed by them. I entreat of Thee consolation and support. I speak to Thee who knowest all things, to whom all my inward thoughts are open, and who alone canst perfectly comfort and help me. Thou knowest what things I stand in most need of. Behold, I stand before Thee poor and naked, calling for grace, and imploring mercy. Refresh Thy hungry supplicant, kindle my coldness with the fire of Thy love, enlighten my blindness with the brightness of Thy presence. Suffer me not to go away from Thee hungry and dry, but deal mercifully with me, as often times Thou hast dealt wonderfully with Thy saints. Amen.

—Thomas à Kempis

For Trust in Thee

O Lord my God, be not Thou far from me; my God, have regard to help me; for there have risen up against me sundry thoughts, and great fears, afflicting my soul. How shall I pass through unhurt? How shall I break them to pieces? This is my hope, my one only consolation, to flee unto Thee in every tribulation, to trust in Thee, to call upon Thee from my inmost heart, and to wait patiently for Thy consolation. Amen.

—Thomas à Kempis

For the Comforter

Write Thy blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart, there to remain so indelibly engraven, that no prosperity, no adversity shall ever move me from Thy love. Be Thou to me a strong tower of defence, a comforter in tribulation, a deliverer in distress, a very present help in trouble, and a guide to heaven through the many temptations and dangers of this life. Amen.

—Thomas à Kempis

For Love of God and His Laws

O most gracious God, from whom every good and perfect gift cometh, we beseech Thee to work in us both to will and to do according to Thy good pleasure. Enlighten our minds that we may know Thee, and let us not be unfruitful in that knowledge. Lord, work in our hearts a true faith, a purifying hope, and an unfeigned love towards Thee. Give us a full trust in Thee, zeal for Thee, reverence of all things that relate to Thee. Make us fearful to offend Thee, thankful for Thy mercies, humble under Thy corrections, devout in Thy service, and sorrowful for our sins. Grant that in all things we may behave ourselves so as befits a creature to his Creator, a servant to his Lord. Make us diligent in all our duties, watchful against all temptations, pure and temperate and moderate in Thy most lawful enjoyments, that they may never become a snare to us. Help us, O Lord, to act towards our neighbour that we may never transgress the royal law of Thine, of loving him as ourselves. Finally, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to sanctify us throughout, that our whole spirit, soul, and body, may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; to whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory for ever. Amen.

—Thomas à Kempis

For Consecration

Almighty God, who hast made all things for man, and man for Thy glory, sanctify our body and soul, our thoughts and our intentions, our words and actions, that whatsoever we shall think, or speak or do, may by us be designed to the glorification of Thy name, and by Thy blessing, it may be effectual and successful in the work of God, according as it can be capable. Lord, turn necessities into virtues, the works of Nature into the works of grace, by making them orderly, regular and temperate, subordinate and profitable to ends beyond their own proper efficacy; and let no pride or self-seeking, no impure motive, or unworthy purpose, no little ends, and low imagination stain our spirit, and unhallow any of our words and actions. But let our body be a servant to our spirit, and both body and spirit servants of Jesus Christ, that doing all things for Thy glory here, we may be partakers of Thy glory hereafter; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

—Thomas à Kempis

For Friends

Almighty, everlasting God, have mercy on Thy servants our friends. Keep them continually under Thy protection, and direct them according to Thy gracious favour in the way of everlasting salvation; that they may desire such things as please Thee, and with all their strength perform the same. And forasmuch as they trust in Thy mercy, vouchsafe, O Lord, graciously to assist them with Thy heavenly help, that they may ever diligently serve Thee, and by no temptations be separated from Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—Thomas à Kempis

For Thy Spirit

The prayers I make will then be sweet indeed, If Thou the spirit give by which I pray; My unassisted heart is barren clay, That of its native self can nothing feed; Of good and pious works Thou art the seed That quickens only where Thou say’st it may. Unless Thou show to us Thy own true way, No man can find it! Father! Thou must lead; Do Thou then breathe those thoughts into my mind By which such virtue may in me be bred That in Thy holy footsteps I may tread; The fetters of my tongue do Thou unbind, That I may have the power to sing to Thee, And sound Thy praises everlastingly! Amen.

—Michelangelo

FOOTNOTES

[1]Old Spanish liturgy, later named Mozarabic.

[2]Gerhard Groot was the founder of the “Brothers of the Common Life.” Some scholars claim The Imitation of Christ, usually attributed to Thomas à Kempis, was done by Groot and edited by Thomas à Kempis.

INDEX

A Absent Friends, 51, 87 Acceptable Service, 53 Adoration, 39 Afflicted, For the, 46, 48 (2) Against Temptation, 19 Alcuin, 32, 33 Alfred the Great, 39, 40 Ancient Collects, 9, 12, 13, 14 Anselm, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 Answer to Prayer, 18 (1), 25 (2) Anxiety, 74 Aquinas, Thomas, 70, 71

B Bede, Venerable, 32 Belief, 66 (1) Bereaved, 48 (2) Benediction, 42, 55 (1), 67 (1) Bernard of Clairvaux, 62, 63 Birthday, 42 Blessings, 42 (1) Blessedness, 23 (1), 47, 75 Bonds, 60 (2) Bonaventura, 71 Bradwardine, Thomas, 74 Brightness, 13, 19 (3), 52 (1), 56 (4), 57 (2), 84 Brokenhearted, 12 (3) Brothers, For the, 69 (1) Brotherly Kindness, 55

C Care, Loving, 12 (3) Charity, 23 (1), 81 Christian Graces, 34 (2) Christmas, 19 (3), 23 Church, 10, 23 Cleansing, 9 (1), 11 (1), 12 (3), 17, 24 (2), 32, 62, 78 (1), 80 (2) Clemency, 42 (3) Collect, 9, 12, 13, 14 Columba, 14 Comfort, 12 (3), 53 (1), 66 (1) Comforter, 25 (3), 62, 71, 85 Commandments, 40, 57 (1), 64 Companionship, 21 Compassion, 12 (3) Confession, 20, 42, 62 Consecration, 83 (2), 86 Consolation, 82 (1), 84, 85 (1) Correction, 46 Cross, 16 (1), 28 (1)

D Daily Prayer, 20, 66, 70 Daily Living, 78 Darkness, 52 (1), 54 (1) Dedication, 18 Defense from Evil, 58 Delight in Christ, 63 Deliverance, 11, 32 (3), 54, 55 Devotion, 50 Diligence, 70 (3) Direction, 24 Distress, 46 Dionysius, 38 Divine Control, 57 Dunstan of Canterbury, 42, 43, 44

E Easter, 8 (2), 28 Enemies, 48 (1) Enlightenment, 14, 46 (1), 52, 57 (2), 85 (3) Epiphany, 12, 19 (3) Erigena, John Scotus, 38 Eternal Rest, 24 (3) Ethelwold of York, 42 Evening, 13 (2), 21 (3), 27, 29 Evil, From, 11 (1) Evil Thoughts, From, 9 (4) Example, A Good, 29 (2)

F Faith, 21, 23 (1), 26 (2), 48 (1) Faithful and Prepared Lives, 78 For Thee, O Lord, 83 Forgiveness, 8, 11 (1), 17, 18 (1), 20 (1), 40, 42 (3), 46 (1), 49 (1), 63, 78 (2) Footsteps, 88 Francis of Assisi, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 Friends, 34, 47 (2), 51, 87 Future Life, 74 (3), 75 (1)

G Gallican Collect, 33 Gallican Sacramentary, 33, 34, 35 Gentleness, 48 (1) Giver of All Good Things, 23 Gladness, 13 (1), 20 (2), 28 (2), 53 Gloomy Thoughts, 13 (3) God We Love, 76 God’s Supremacy, 39 God’s Will, 57, 67 Good Friday, 28 Goodness, 48 (1), 79 (2) Good Will, 23 (2) Grace, 9, 26 (2), 32 (3), 46, 54, 56, 64, 68, 72, 82 (1), 84 Gregory the Great, 8 Gregorian Sacramentary, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Guidance, 24 (3), 26, 39, 46, 62, 68 Guilt, 16 (1), 16 (2), 78 (2)

H Healing, 25 (1), 52 (2), 62 Health, 11 (3), 56 Heavenly Mindedness, 48, 75 Heavenly Refreshment, 62 Heavenly Wisdom, 83 (1) Help, 38 (2), 56 (2), 85 (2) Holy Week, 49, 53 Holy Spirit, 25, 29 (1), 42 (2), 48, 52 (3), 54 (3), 56 (1), 67 (2), 83, 85 (1), 88 Hope, 13 (3), 23 (1), 66 (1), 80, 82 (2) Humility, 34 (2), 48 (1), 59 (2), 82 (1), 85 (3)

I Ignorance, 32 (3) Illumination, 19, 29, 33, 52 (1) Indignation, 81 Instrument of Thy Peace, 66 Intercession, 81

J Jeremy, Dan, 64 Jordanus, Raymond, 75 Journey, 34 Joy, 21, 47 (1), 62, 66 (1) Justice, 34

K Kempis, Thomas à, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 Kingdom, 54 Knowledge, 32 (1), 47 (1), 67 Knowledge of God’s Will, 57, 67

L Law, God’s, 85 Liberty, 33 (2) Life, 22 (3) Life in Thee, 24 (1) Light, 12 (1), 13, 14, 21 (2), 22, 29, 32 (3), 39 (2), 54, 66 (1) Litany, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 27 Love, 11, 14, 19 (2, 3), 22, 39, 40, 46, 48 (1), 49 (2), 56 (1), 57, 66 (1, 2), 69 (2), 71, 80 Love of God, 74, 85 Love of Thee, 50 Loving Care, 12 Loving-kindness, 20 (1), 50 Longsuffering, 48 (1) Loyal Service, 59 Ludolphus of Saxony, 74, 75

M Make Me an Instrument, 66 Meekness, 48 (1) Mercy, 8 (3), 16 (1, 2), 17, 18 (1), 20 (2), 22 (2), 23 (2), 27 (2), 32 (3), 35 (2), 39 (1), 40, 42 (3), 52 (1), 55 (1), 56 (2), 81, 82 (1), 84 Michelangelo, 88 Ministers, 33 (1) Morning, 9, 13, 20, 21 (3), 56 (2) Mozarabic Breviary, 16, 17, 18, 19 Mozarabic Liturgy, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 Mozarabic Sacramentary, 27, 28, 29, 30

N Nations, For, 26 New Year, 25 Night, 13 (2)

O Old Rheims Manuscript, 40 Orphan, For the, 17 Others, 12 (3), 81

P Pardon, 12, 18 (1), 19, 46, 71 Passion, 16 (1, 2) Passion Week, 49 Pastors, For, 10, 33 (1) Patience, 48 (1), 85 (1) Peace, 12 (2), 20 (2), 21 (3), 22, 28 (2), 33 (3), 48 (1), 53 (2), 55 (1), 58 Penitent, 17 Pentecost, 52 Perfection, 11 (3), 35, 50, 78 (1) Perseverance, 26 Personal Dedication, 18 Petition, 32 Pity, 53 (2) Power, 9 (2), 39 (2), 51 Praise, 56 (3), 67, 68, 79 Prisoner, 60 Protection, 8 (3), 11, 26, 59 Prudence, 34 (2) Purified Lives, 59 Purity, 34 (2), 59, 71 Purity of Heart, 52 (3)

Q Quiet Hour, 78

R Recognition of God, 23 Reconciliation, 66 (1) Redemption, 82 Refuge, 80 Rejoicing, 56 (3) Release from Sins, 8 (1) Remission of Sins, 16 (1) Repentance, 18, 24, 63, 78 (1) Repose, 23 (3) Rest, 13, 79 (1) Resurrection, 28 (2), 74 Reveal Thyself, 38 (2) Richard of Chichester, 70 Righteousness, 57 (2) Rock, 21 (1) Rolle, Richard, 71, 72 Roman Breviary, 57, 58, 59, 60 Rulers, 10, 26

S Salvation, 17, 27 (2), 57 (1), 62, 82 Sanctification, 24 Sarum Breviary, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 Self-Renunciation, 75 (2) Servants, 86 Service, 59 Set Free, 33 Sick, For the, 17, 25 Sin, 10 (1), 12 (2), 55, 59 (3), 75, 85 (3) Sleep, 27 (1) Sorrow, 51 (2) Spirit, Thy, 88 Spirit of Truth, 32 Spiritual Gladness, 53 Spiritual Illumination, 29 Spiritual Oneness, 38 (1) Steadfastness, 70 Strength, 10 (1), 11 (2), 12 (3), 21 (2), 39, 40, 51 (2), 58 (3), 60, 82 (2) Studita, Theodore, 35, 36 Supplication, 56 Suffering, 25 Suspicion, 81 Sweetness, 79 (2)

T Tauler, Johannes, 74 Teach Us, 39 (1) Temperance, 34 (2) Temptation, 10 (1), 11 (2), 19, 20 (2), 21 (2, 3), 39 (1), 58, 83 (2), 85 (3) Thanksgiving, 28 (2), 54 (3), 67, 70 Theologia Germanica, 75, 76 Thomas à Kempis, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 Thy Glory, 12 (1) Thy Presence, 83 (1) Thy Will, 80, 82 Today, For, 56 Transgressions, 53 (1) Tribulations, 53 (2), 85 (1) Trouble, In Time of, 52 True Worship, 27 True Peace, 79 (1) Trust, 85 Truth, 32 (2), 56 (4), 66 (1)

U Unanimity, 38 Understanding, 34, 39 (2) Union with God, 49 Unity, 38 Unrest, 62

V Venerable Bede, 32

W Walk in Holiness, 56 Watchful Love, 26 (2) Weakness, 50 Widow, For the, 17 Will, Thy, 79, 82 Whitsunday, 52 Wisdom, 32 (1), 34 (2), 52 (2) Words, Dying, 44 World, 9 Worship, 27 Wrath, 81

Z Zeal, 49

Transcriber’s Notes

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--Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.

--Only in the text versions, delimited italicized text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)