Thomas A Kempis 1.20 (Part 2) - Loving solitude and silence

No one is worthy of heavenly consolation without diligently exercising in holy contrition. If you want to feel compunction in the heart, go into your closet and shut out the noise of the world, as it is written, Commune with your own heart in your own room and be still (from Psalm 4:4, Vulgate). In private you will find what you often lose in public. Privacy, if continued, grows sweet; if neglected, it's boring. If in the beginning of contemplation you're fully present and guard it well, then with time it will become a dear friend, and a most pleasant consolation.

In silence and quiet there is gain for the devoted soul, learning the hidden things of the Scriptures. There he finds a fountain of tears with which to wash and cleanse the soul at night, that the soul may grow more familiar to its Maker, distancing itself from worldly noise. Whoever withdraws from his acquaintance and friends, God draws near with his holy angels. It is better to be on the sidelines and care for the soul, than to neglect the soul and work wonders. It is praiseworthy for a religious man to go out rarely, to avoid being seen, and not to see others. 

Why do you desire to see what it is not permissible to have? The world passes away and its worldly desires. These desires of sensuality draw you out to wander. But when an hour is past, what did it bring but a weight on your conscience and a distraction to your heart? A delightful departure brings a sorrowful return, and a merry evening makes a sad morning. So all carnal joys look harmless at first, but in the end it comes back to bite you. 

What can you see anywhere that can last long in this world? You think maybe you'll reach satisfaction, but you'll be unable to attain it. If you could see everything that there is, what would be the point in what you've seen? Lift your eyes to God on high, and pray for your sins and your neglect. Let go of things which are doing you no good anyway, and focus your mind where God has directed. Close your door, and call on Jesus as the one you love. Stay with him in private; you will not find so much peace anywhere else. If you hadn't gone out and heard the latest gossip and rumors, it would have been better for your peace of mind. Because sometimes it delights you to hear news, you have to endure a troubled heart. 

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.20 (second part, it's a long chapter to translate in one sitting). 

Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art

Thomas A Kempis 1.20 (Part I) - Loving solitude and silence

Loving solitude and silence

Find that free time for your meditation, and frequently think of God's goodness to you. Let go of the curiosity questions; prefer to ponder what strengthens you against evil, rather than what occupies your mind. If you withdraw from excess talk and idle gatherings, and from listening to news and rumors, you will find plenty of time suitable for good meditation. The greatest saints used to avoid the company of men when they could, choosing to live in secret before God.

As someone has said, “Whenever I have gone out among men, I have come back a lesser man.” This is typical when we have spent long in conversation. It is easier to be silent than to speak without being excessive or transgressive. It is easier to keep yourself at home than keep a close watch on yourself when you're out. Someone who tends toward the inner life, which is spiritual, must go with Jesus “apart from the multitude.” No one safely goes out in company except the one who loves the peace of home. No one safely talks except the one who loves to hold his peace. No one safely rules except the one who loves to serve. No one safely commands except the one who has learned to obey. No one safely rejoices except the one who has the testimony of a good conscience within himself. 

The boldness of the Saints was always full of the fear of God. They were not less watchful of themselves or less humble because they shone forth with great virtues and grace. But the boldness of the wicked comes from pride and arrogance, and in the end it turns to hopelessness. Never promise yourself security in this life, no matter how good you may appear in the religious life. 

Often those who have better esteem among men are at greater risk spiritually because of their over-confidence. So it's much more useful that they are not entirely free from temptation and even suffer some reproach, or they may grow over-confident, or be lifted up into arrogance, or comfort themselves too much with externals. Now, a man who never chased a passing pleasure, who never became preoccupied with the world, how good a conscience would that man keep! If someone would whole-heartedly reject all futile anxiety, and focus fully on the healthful and the holy, and build his whole hope upon God, how great peace and rest that man would possess!

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.20 (first part, it's a long chapter to translate in one sitting). 

Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art

Essential Bible Verses on Peace

1. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
2. Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end. (Isaiah 9:6-7a)
3. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
4. The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)
5. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God, and the peace of God which passes understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
6. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2)
7. Whoever would love life and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no deceit. Let him disown evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. (1 Peter 3:11-12)
8. Wisdom's ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs 3:17)
9. The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the bond-service of righteousness will be quietness and security for ever. (Isaiah 32:17)
10. He shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people, and they will turn their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they study war any more. (Isaiah 2:4)

Thomas A Kempis 1.19 (Part 2) - Spiritual exercises

The exercises which are not common to all are not for showing outwardly but are safest in secret, carried out privately. Watch out that you don't become lazy about the common exercises and eager for special ones. When you have fully and faithfully completed your obligations and fulfilled your orders, if you still have more free time, then take up your own interests as your devotion desires. It's not possible for everyone to have the same spiritual exercise, since one thing serves one man better, and another works better for another. And in different seasons, different exercises are needed: some for holy days, some for great feasts. Some serve well in times of temptations and others in times of peace and rest. In times of sadness I like certain meditations, and others when we are joyful in the Lord.

Around the time of the major festivals the good exercises should be renewed, and the prayers of the Saints more fervently sought. We should resolve to move from Feast to Feast as if each were our time to migrate from this world to the eternal feast. So we should prepare ourselves earnestly in times of devotion, and in holy conversation, and keep a close watch on all our observances as if we would soon receive the reward of our labors from God. 

And if we postpone preparing ourselves, let us believe that we are less well prepared and still unworthy of the glory which shall be revealed in us at the appointed time. May we study to prepare ourselves the better for our end. Blessed is that servant, as the Evangelist Luke says, whom, when the Lord returns He finds watching. Truly I tell you, He will make him ruler over all that He has.

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.19 (second part, it's a long chapter to translate in one sitting). 

Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art