Following of Christ - Christian Classics Ethereal Library

Table of Contents

Cover Page, with Note.

Prefatory Material.

Tauler’s Following of the Poor Life of Christ. Part First.

In the first place, this book teacheth how poverty is a (state of) being withdrawn (detached) from all creatures.

In the next place, how true poverty is a free capacity or power (vermögen)

In the third place, how true poverty is a pure working.

In man is a natural work, a work of grace and a godly work. In the first place—

Secondly, of the work and knowledge of grace.

In the third place. Of the godly work and of three kinds of men.

The Spirit of God speaketh in man without image and form, life, light, and truth.

What a perfect will is, whereof the works and virtue are essential.

In the first place, the teaching and the life of our Lord Jesus Christ impel a man to a poor life.

In the second place, perfection of virture driveth a man to a poor life.

In the third place, this ought to drive man to a poor life, that he may die to himself and to all creatures, and God alone may live in him.

In the fourth place, the perfection of a contemplative life should impel a man to a poor life.

Four ways lead a man to a poor, perfect, contemplative life, seeing God inwardly. The first way is, that a man have a perfect will to give up all, that is against God, that is not a matter of God and that is not solely God, and thereby you obtain all virture.

The other way which leadeth a man into a poor, perfect, contemplative life, is, that man steppeth in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ and followeth him.

The third way of a poor, perfect life, when you contemplate God internally, is, that a man do not fly from what may kill him in spiritual things.

The fourth way that leadeth a man into a poor, perfect, contemplative life, is a zealous avoidance of all that which can please men, whether it be spiritual or bodily, so that whatever it be, it be so received as not to mis up the soul with it.

For three reasons man should draw in all his senses.

Index of Scripture References

Greek Words and Phrases

Latin Words and Phrases

German Words and Phrases

Index of Pages of the Print Edition

►Corrections disabled for this book
►Proofing disabled for this book