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Thomas a Kempis p3

Here are some more samples from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. A Devotional, or spiritual book from the 15th Century…

This from On the gladness of a good conscience: The glory of a good man is the witness of a good conscience. Have a good conscience, and you will always have gladness; for a good conscience is able to endure a great deal, and be glad even in adversity, whereas a bad conscience is always fearful and restless. You will enjoy quiet rest if conscience does not condemn you.

Only when you have done well should you feel glad. The wicked never have true happiness, and do not know peace in their hearts, because for the rebellious, the Lord says, there is no peace. Do not believe them if they say, “Look how prosperous we are. How can harm befall us? Who will dare attack us?” – God’s anger will suddenly rise up against them, what they have done will be utterly destroyed and all their designs come to nothing.

Another chapter deals with compunction, which is a guilty feeling arising from something you have done or might do. The chapter On compunction of heart says:   The happy man is one who can shake off the burden of his disordered thoughts and concentrate every faculty in one holy emotion of compunction. The happy man is one who can discard everything that stains or burdens his conscience. Be a man and make an effort — only a good habit can defeat a bad one.

-There is a lot more good advice in The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, Collins, Fontana Books, 1967 edition.