"Happy is the youth, because he has time before him to do good. "

St Philip Neri

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"God commands not impossibilities, but by commanding he suggests to you to do what you can, to ask for what is beyond your strength; and he helps you, that you may be able."

St Augustine

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"This is the greatest wisdom -- to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. "

Thomas á Kempis

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St Albert the Great  (1206 - 1280)
 

CLEAVING TO GOD

by St Alfred the Great

CONTENTS

 

Translator's Introduction

1. On the highest and supreme perfection of man, in so far as it is possible in this life.
2. How one can cling to and aim at Christ alone, disdaining everything else.
3. What the perfection of man consist of in this life.
4. How man's activity should be purely in the intellect and not in the senses.
5. On purity of heart which is to be sought above all things.
6. That the devout man should cleave to God with naked understanding and will.
7. How the heart should be gathered within itself.
8. How a religious man should commit himself to God in all circumstances whatsoever.
9. How much the contemplation of God is to be preferred to all other exercises.
10. That one should not be concerned about feeling tangible devotion so much as about cleaving to God with one's will.
11. How one should resist temptations and bear trials.
12. How powerful the love of God is.
13. The nature and value of prayer, and how the heart should be recollected within itself.
14. That we should seek the verdict of our conscience in every decision.
15. How contempt of himself can be produced in a man, and how useful it is.
16. How God's Providence includes everything.