The Disciple

The Imitation of Christ

The voice exhorting the reader to turn from vanity and follow Christ.

Book I: Admonitions Profitable for the Spiritual Life

The voice of the faithful soul seeking to follow Christ and reject worldly illusions.

Of the Imitation of Christ, and of Contempt of the World and All Its Vanities

The voice exhorting the reader to study Christ's life, feel contrition, and turn from worldly vanities.

Of Thinking Humbly of Oneself

The narrator reflects on the dangers of pride in knowledge and the value of humility.

Of the Knowledge of Truth

The disciple speaks of the weariness of reading and listening to many things, and desires only to hear God speak.

Of Prudence in Action

The narrator speaks as one giving instruction on prudence, humility, and obedience.

Of the Reading of Holy Scripture

The disciple is instructed in the proper approach to reading Scripture.

Of Inordinate Affections

The narrator reflects on the nature of inordinate affections and the path to true peace.

Of fleeing from vain hope and pride

The voice addressing the reader, urging humility and trust in God.

Of the danger of too much familiarity

The narrator gives counsel on discretion in friendships and warns against opening one's heart to every person.

Of Obedience and Subjection

The narrator speaks from personal experience, having heard that it is safer to receive counsel than to give it.

Of the danger of superfluity of words

The narrator reflects on personal regret for not having held peace and on the common tendency to talk too much.

Of seeking peace of mind, and of spiritual progress

The narrator addresses the reader directly, urging self-examination and spiritual discipline.

Of the Uses of Adversity

The disciple reflects on the spiritual value of suffering and adversity.

Of Resisting Temptation

The narrator addresses the reader directly, offering counsel on resisting temptation and enduring trials.

On Avoiding Rash Judgment

The voice addressing the reader, urging self-examination and submission to God.

Of Works of Charity

The narrator reflects on the nature of true charity and the importance of doing all works for God's glory.

Of Bearing with the Faults of Others

The narrator speaks directly to the reader, offering counsel on patience and mutual forbearance.

Of a religious life

Addressed as 'thou' who is called to endure, labour, and humble himself.

Of the Example of the Holy Fathers

The narrator addresses the reader directly, lamenting the decline of devotion and urging imitation of the holy fathers.

Of the exercises of a religious man

The disciple is the speaker throughout the chapter, offering guidance on spiritual exercises and self-examination.

Of the Love of Solitude and Silence

The disciple is the primary voice, offering counsel on seeking solitude and silence for meditation and compunction.

Of Compunction of Heart

The narrator speaks as a devout soul seeking compunction and urging self-discipline.

On the Contemplation of Human Misery

The narrator speaks directly to the reader, urging self-examination and spiritual resolve.

Of meditation upon death

The narrator addresses the reader directly, urging self-examination and preparation for death.

XXIV Of the Judgment and Punishment of the Wicked

The disciple is addressed directly, urged to learn suffering, prove endurance, and purify the soul through patience and self-denial.

Of the Zealous Amendment of Our Whole Life

The narrator speaks as one striving for spiritual progress, offering counsel and exhortation.

Book II: Admonitions Concerning the Inner Life

The narrator speaks as a disciple seeking to learn and practice the inner life.

Of the Inward Life

Addressed as 'faithful soul' and exhorted to prepare the heart for Christ and to despise the world.

Of Lowly Submission

The narrator speaks in the voice of a spiritual guide, exhorting the reader to humility and submission to God.

Of the good, peaceable man

The narrator addresses the reader directly, urging self-examination and peaceable living.

Of a Pure Mind and Simple Intention

The disciple is the one being instructed in the pursuit of a pure mind and simple intention, learning how to turn wholly to God.

Of Self-Esteem

The narrator reflects on human blindness and the need for self-attention.

Of the Joy of a Good Conscience

The narrator speaks directly to the reader, offering guidance on the joy of a good conscience and the importance of inward purity.

Of loving Jesus above all things

The voice exhorting the reader to love Jesus and despise self for Jesus' sake, and to seek Jesus in all things.

Of the Intimate Love of Jesus

The voice addressing the reader, urging intimate love and devotion to Jesus.

Of the lack of all comfort

The narrator reflects on the experience of losing divine comfort and advises the reader on how to respond with humility and patience.

Of Gratitude for the Grace of God

The narrator speaks as a humble servant, confessing his own fault and neediness, and urging gratitude and humility before God.

Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus

The narrator reflects on the rarity of those who love the Cross and serve God without self-interest.

XII: Of the Royal Way of the Holy Cross

Addressed directly as 'thou' who must take up the cross and follow Christ, enduring tribulations patiently.

Book III: On Inward Consolation

The disciple speaks as the seeker of inward consolation, learning to turn away from the world and toward God.

Of the Inward Voice of Christ to the Faithful Soul

The soul addressed, urged to hearken to God's voice and shut out carnal desires.

What the Truth Saith Inwardly Without Noise of Words

The disciple earnestly prays for God to speak inwardly, echoing Samuel's request, 'Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.'

How all the words of God are to be heard with humility, and how many consider them not

Responds to Christ's words with a prayer, confessing his own nothingness and begging for God's mercy and instruction.

How we must walk in truth and humility before God

The disciple responds to God's teaching, praying for truth to guide and preserve him.

Of the Wonderful Power of the Divine Love

The speaker who blesses God, confesses weakness in love, and prays for strength and purification.

Of the Proving of the True Lover

The disciple responds to God's words and is addressed directly, learning about steadfast love.

Of Hiding Our Grace Under the Guard of Humility

The recipient of the divine instruction, addressed as 'My Son' and exhorted to hide grace, despise self, and endure trials patiently.

Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God

The speaker who humbles himself before God, confessing his nothingness and weakness.

That all things are to be referred to God, as the final end

The listener and recipient of the instruction to refer all things to God.

Chapter X: That it is sweet to despise the world and to serve God

The speaker who addresses God in awe and gratitude for being called to serve.

XI

The listener who asks 'What are they, Lord?' and receives the teaching on desire and self-subjection.

Of the inward growth of patience, and of the struggle against evil desires

The disciple speaks, acknowledging the need for patience and the inevitability of strife in life.

Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus Christ

Addressed as 'My Son' and exhorted to learn obedience and humility.

Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of God, that we may not be lifted up because of our well-doing

The speaker who trembles before God's judgments and confesses his own nothingness.

How we must stand and speak, in everything that we desire

The disciple speaks the prayer and is instructed by Christ to resign all desires to God.

XVI

The speaker who addresses his own soul, seeking solace in God.

XVII

The disciple responds with complete trust and surrender, accepting all circumstances from God's hand.

That Temporal Miseries Are to Be Borne Patiently After the Example of Christ

The disciple responds to Christ's words, expressing gratitude and acknowledging the need to bear the burdens of life patiently.

Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient

The disciple is the one who complains, is tempted to impatience, and is instructed to bear all injuries patiently; he also prays for grace to endure.

Of Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of This Life

Confesses his infirmity and frailty, laments the constant conflict with passions and temptations, and expresses weariness with the miseries of life.

XXI

The speaker who longs to rest in God and expresses deep yearning for divine union.

Of the recollection of God's manifold benefits

The speaker who prays for understanding and expresses humility before God's majesty and gifts.

Of four things which bring great peace

The speaker who receives the teaching, prays for grace, and offers prayers against evil thoughts and for enlightenment.

Of Avoiding Curious Inquiry into the Life of Another

Addressed as 'My Son' and instructed to avoid entanglement in others' affairs.

XXV

The disciple asks 'What then shall I do, Lord?' and receives instruction on attaining true peace.

Of the exaltation of a free spirit, which humble prayer more deserveth than doth frequent reading

The narrator prays for a free spirit and for deliverance from worldly cares and fleshly consolations.

XXVII

The speaker in the prayer section, seeking strength and wisdom from God.

Against the Tongues of Detractors

Recipient of the teaching, called to ignore detractors and rest in God.

XXIX

The speaker who cries out in tribulation and seeks God's help.

Of Seeking Divine Help, and the Confidence of Obtaining Grace

The disciple is addressed as 'My son' and is instructed in patience, faith, and trust amid tribulation.

Of the neglect of every creature, that the Creator may be found

The speaker who earnestly seeks grace to be freed from creatures and to fly unto God.

Of Self-Denial, and the Casting Away All Selfishness

Responds to Christ's teaching, acknowledging that this path is not a day's work but contains all perfection of the religious life.

Of Instability of the Heart, and of Directing the Aim Towards God

The listener and recipient of the divine instruction on purifying the intention.

That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all things

Expresses personal longing for God and laments the ongoing struggle with the old man.

XXXV

Addressee of the exhortation, urged to bear all things for Christ's sake.

Against Vain Judgments of Men

The recipient of the counsel, encouraged to anchor his soul in God and not fear human judgment.

Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining liberty of heart

The disciple speaks in response, asking how often and in what things he must resign himself.

Of a good government in external things, and of having recourse to God in dangers

Addressed as 'My Son' and exhorted to be free within and master of his actions.

XXXIX

Responds to Christ's instruction, expressing willingness to commit all things to God and lamenting his own preoccupation with future events.

That Man Hath No Good in Himself, and Nothing Whereof to Glory

The speaker humbly confesses his own nothingness and lack of good, acknowledging his need for God's help.

Of Contempt of All Temporal Honour

Responds to Christ's words, confessing blindness and sin, and accepting contempt as just.

XLII

Addressed as 'My Son' by God, receiving instruction on detachment from human affections.

Against Vain and Worldly Knowledge

Addressed as 'My Son' and called to heed Christ's words over human learning.

Of not troubling ourselves about outward things

Responds to Christ's teaching with a lament about human preoccupation with temporal matters.

XLV

Reflects on personal failures in trusting others and resolves to be more cautious.

Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us

Responds in prayer, acknowledging his frailty and seeking God's mercy and strength.

That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life

The recipient of the divine counsel, called to endure labors and tribulations faithfully.

Of the Day of Eternity and of the Straitnesses of This Life

The narrator speaks as an exiled soul longing for the eternal day, groaning under the weight of earthly trials and distractions.

Of the desire after eternal life, and how great blessings are promised to those who strive.

The listener who is exhorted to desire eternal life, endure trials, and seek God's will above his own.

How a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God

The speaker who confesses his poverty, sorrow, and need for God's peace, and submits to divine discipline.

That we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that are lofty

The listener who is exhorted to descend to humble works and wait patiently for God's coming.

LII

Confesses his unworthiness and sinfulness, seeking mercy through contrition.

LIII

The one being addressed and exhorted to renounce earthly attachments and conquer self.

Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace

The disciple is addressed as 'My Son' and instructed to pay heed to the motions of Nature and Grace.

Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace

The narrator confesses his own weakness and the struggle between the law of the mind and the law of sin in his flesh.

LVI

The disciple responds to Christ's call, committing to carry the cross and follow Him unto death.

That a man must not be too much cast down, when he falleth into some faults

The voice responding in prayer, 'O Lord, blessed be Thy word...' and seeking a good end.

LVIII: Of Deeper Matters, and God's Hidden Judgments Which Are Not to Be Inquired Into

Addressed as 'My Son' throughout the chapter, receiving instruction on humility and the danger of disputing divine judgments.

That all hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone

The narrator expresses personal trust and hope in God alone, describing himself as a poor servant exiled in the land of the shadow of death.

Book IV: Of the Sacrament of the Altar

The narrator presents the exhortation to the Holy Communion, recording the words of Christ.

With how great reverence Christ must be received

Expresses deep reverence and personal unworthiness before receiving Christ in the Sacrament.

II

The Disciple voices his unworthiness and awe before God in the Sacrament.

That it is profitable to Communicate often

The voice of the Disciple who earnestly desires to receive Christ and acknowledges his own weakness and need for divine medicine.

IV

The Disciple prays for grace and expresses his unworthiness before the Sacrament.

Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest

Addressed as 'thou' in the exhortation to approach the Sacrament with fear and reverence.

An Inquiry Concerning Preparation for Communion

The Disciple voices his fear and confusion, acknowledging his own vileness and seeking divine instruction for worthy communion.

Of the Examination of Conscience, and Purpose of Amendment

The narrator is the one who examines his conscience, confesses his sins, and resolves to amend his life.

Of the Oblation of Christ upon the Cross, and of Resignation of Self

The disciple is addressed directly, exhorted to resign himself entirely to Christ and to offer himself as a pure oblation.

IX

Offers himself as a freewill offering to God, confesses sins, and prays for all.

That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted

Addressed as 'Thou' and exhorted to frequent Communion, to overcome scruples, and to prepare oneself with purity of conscience.

XI

The voice throughout the chapter, expressing devotion, longing, and gratitude for the Sacrament and Scripture.

That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence

The soul addressed, urged to prepare diligently, receive with humility, and remain in secret communion after receiving the Sacrament.

That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after union with Christ in the Sacrament

The disciple yearns for union with Christ and expresses his desire to be wholly united and lost in God.

Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the Body and Blood of Christ

Expresses shame at his own lack of devotion and desires to share in the fervent love of the devout.

That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and self-denial

The disciple is instructed on how to seek, receive, and preserve the grace of devotion through humility and self-denial.

XVI

The speaker who confesses his infirmity, poverty in virtues, and need for grace, and who prays for inward union with Christ.

Of Fervent Love and Vehement Desire of Receiving Christ

Expresses fervent love and desire to receive Christ, offering himself wholly as a sacrifice.

That a man should not be a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith

The narrator is addressed as the servant of God who must endure temptations and go forward with simple faith.