Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380 – 25 July 1471)

[fieldgrade]

Who anonymously wrote “Imitation of Christ”...

What a treasure. I have had a copy, among other old books, that was my grandad’s who was a missionary to Japan 100 years ago. I never opened it till I read a letter by C.S. Lewis recently recommending it to someone he was corresponding with 80 years ago, and that they read this book "in small doses”.

Originally written in Latin and translated to the Queen’s English sometime later.

I read that, and “For this day" by J.B. Philips that the same grandfather gave me fifty years ago, that sat in a drawer unread till 1987.

 

[fieldgrade]

“Who hath a greater combat than he that laboreth to overcome himself?"

-Chapter III, On the Doctrine of Truth.

 

[Goofyfoot2001]

Here ya go, the whole book available here.

The Imitation of Christ

books.google.com

 

[Goofyfoot2001]

Better copy https://books.google.com/books?id=n...hUKEwis2vOIspHvAhWZbc0KHUr8BUUQ6AEwAXoECAcQAw

 

[fieldgrade]

“Who hath a greater combat than he that laboreth to overcome himself?"

-Chapter III, On the Doctrine of Truth.
a’ Kempis

Interesting that after I read the above, I was reading J.B Phillips for this day. He starts off March with this:

"When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realise that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence. And if, in the process, any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem he has only to ask God—who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty—and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him."

James 1: 2-5
J.B. Phillps New Testament