CONTENTS

CHAPTERS OF THE FIRST BOOK

Counsels on the Spiritual Life

1. On the Imitation of Christ

2. On Personal Humility

3. On the Teaching of Truth

4. On Prudence in Action

5. On Reading the Holy Scriptures

6. On Control of the Desires

7. On Avoiding Vain Hope and Conceit

8. On Guarding against Familiarity

9. On Obedience and Discipline

10. On Avoiding Talkativeness

11. On Peace, and Spiritual Progress

12. On the Uses of Adversity

13. On Resisting Temptations

14. On Avoiding Rash judgements

15. On Deeds Inspired by Love

16. On Bearing with the Faults of others

17. On the Monastic Life

18. On the Examples of the Holy Fathers

19. On the Practices of a Good Religious

20. On the Love of Solitude and Silence

21. On Contrition of Heart

22. On Human Misery

23. A Meditation on Death

24. On Judgement, and the Punishment of Sinners

25. On the Zealous Amendment of our Life

CHAPTERS OF THE SECOND BOOK

Counsels on the Inner Life

26. On the Inner Life

27. On Humble Submission to God

28. On the Good and Peaceful Man

29. On Purity of Mind and Simplicity of Purpose

30. On Knowing Ourselves

31. On the Joys of a Good Conscience

32. On Loving Jesus above all Things

33. On Close Friendship with Jesus

34. On the Lack of all Comfort

35. On Gratitude for God's Grace

36. On the Few Lovers of the Cross of Jesus

37. On the Royal Road of the Holy Cros

THE CHAPTERS OF THE THIRD BOOK

On Inward Consolation

38. How Christ Speaks Inwardly to the Soul

39. How Truth Instructs us in Silence

40. On Humble Attention to God's Word

41. On Truth and Humility

42. On the Wonderful Effect of Divine Love

43. On the Proof of a True Lover

44. On Concealing Grace under Humility

45. On Humility in the Sight of God

46. How God Alone is our True End

47. On the Joy of God's Service

48. On Control of the Heart

49. On Learning Patience

50. On Obedience, after the Example of Christ

51. On the Secret Judgements of God

52. On the Ordering of our Desires

53. How True Comfort is to be Sought in God Alone

54. How we must put our Whole Trust in God

55. How Sorrows are to be Borne Patiently

56. On Enduring Injuries, and the Proof of Patience

57. On our own Weakness, and the Trials of This Life

58. How we must Rest in God Alone above all Things

59. On Being Mindful of God's Blessings

60. On Four Things that Bring Peace

61. On the Evils of Curiosity

62. On Lasting Peace and True Progress

63. On the Excellence of a Free Mind

64. How Self-Love Hinders our Search for God

65. Against Slander

66. How we should Bless God in all Trouble

67. On Asking God's Help, and the Certainty of his Grace

68. On Forsaking Creatures to Find the Creator

69. On Self-Denial, and Renunciation of our Desires

70. On Inconstancy of Heart

71. On God's Graciousness to Those who Love Him

72. How There is no Security from Temptation

73. Against the Vain Judgements of Men

74. How Surrender of Self Brings Freedom of Heart

75. On the Right Ordering of our Affairs

76. How we should not be Over Anxious

77. How Man has no Personal Goodness of which to Boast

78. On Contempt for Worldly Honours

79. That our Peace cannot Depend on Man

80. A Warning against Vain and Worldly Learning

81. On Avoiding Distractions

82. How we should not Believe all we Hear

83. On Putting our Entire Trust in God

84. How Burdens must be Borne to win Eternal Life

85. On Eternity, and the Limitations of This Life

86. On the Desire for Eternal Life, and the Wonder of God's Promises

87. On Trust in God in all Trouble

88. How when we Lack Strength for Higher Work we should Undertake Humble Tasks

89. How no Man is Worthy of God's Comfort

90. How God's Grace is not Granted to the Worldly-Minded

91. On the Contrary Workings of Nature and Grace

92. On the Corruption of Nature, and the Power of Grace

93. How we must Follow Christ's Way of the Cross in Self Denial

94. That we should never Despair

95. How we may not Inquire into the Unsearchable judgements of God

96. That we should Hope and Trust in God Alone

THE CHAPTERS OF THE FOURTH BOOK

On the Blessed Sacrament

97. On the Deep Reverence with which Christ should be Received

98. On the Great Goodness and Love of God in this Sacrament

99. On the Value of Frequent Communion

100. On the Many Blessings Granted to the Devout Communicant

101. On the Dignity of the Sacrament, and of the Priestly Office

102. On Preparation for Communion

103. On Self-Examination, and the Purpose of Amendment

104. On the Offering of Christ on the Cross

105. How we must Offer Ourselves wholly to God, and Pray for all Men

106. That Holy Communion is not to be Lightly Foregone

107. How the Body of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are most necessary to the Faithful Soul

108. On the Need for Careful Preparation to Receive Christ in Holy Communion

109. How the Devout Soul should Sincerely Desire Union with Christ in his Sacrament

110. On Ardent Desire for the Body of Christ

111. How Devotion is Won by Humility and Self-Denial

112. How we should Declare our Needs to Christ, and ask his Grace

113. On Ardent Love and Eager Desire to Receive Christ

114. How we should Approach Christ's Sacrament Humbly, Submitting Reason to Holy Faith


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