Johann Arndt

It certainly is the duty of every true Christian, to esteem himself a stranger and pilgrim in this world; and read more

It certainly is the duty of every true Christian, to esteem himself a stranger and pilgrim in this world; and as bound to use earthly blessings, not as means of satisfying lust or gratifying wantonness, but of supplying his absolute wants and necessities.

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.

Consider then, O man! whether there can be anything more wretched and poor, more naked and miserable, than man when read more

Consider then, O man! whether there can be anything more wretched and poor, more naked and miserable, than man when he dies, if he be not clothed with Christ's righteousness, and enriched in his God.

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.

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.