Johann Arndt

But since the world, which thou art to strive against, is not without thee, but within thee, it follows, that read more

But since the world, which thou art to strive against, is not without thee, but within thee, it follows, that it is also to be conquered not without, but within thee.

Yet, so far from laboring to know the forbidden tree of worldly pleasures and its various fruits, man gives himself read more

Yet, so far from laboring to know the forbidden tree of worldly pleasures and its various fruits, man gives himself up to a careless and thoughtless state of life, and yields to the lust of the flesh, not considering that this lust is really the forbidden tree.

In short, all things that please the natural man in this world, are, to a true Christian, only so many read more

In short, all things that please the natural man in this world, are, to a true Christian, only so many crosses and temptations, allurements of sin and snares of death, that continually exercise his virtue.

Nor is he solicitous about fine and fashionable apparel; aspiring rather after robes of divine light, and the raiment of read more

Nor is he solicitous about fine and fashionable apparel; aspiring rather after robes of divine light, and the raiment of glorified bodies.

This truth is a remedy against spiritual pride, namely, that none should account himself better before God than others, though read more

This truth is a remedy against spiritual pride, namely, that none should account himself better before God than others, though perhaps adorned with greater gifts, and endowments.