Introduction to a Devout Life

ABSTRACT OF THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR 10A DEDICATORY PRAYER 13THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE 13Part One 18ChapterI. 18The description of true devotionII. 20The propriety and excellency of devotionIII. 22Devotion is compatible with every station of lifeIV. 24Of the necessity of a guide to conduct us in the way of devotionV. 26That we must begin by purifying the soulVI. 28Of the first purgation which is that of mortal sinVII. 29Of the second purgation which is that of affections of sinVIII. 31Of the...
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ABSTRACT OF THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR 10A DEDICATORY PRAYER 13THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE 13Part One 18ChapterI. 18The description of true devotionII. 20The propriety and excellency of devotionIII. 22Devotion is compatible with every station of lifeIV. 24Of the necessity of a guide to conduct us in the way of devotionV. 26That we must begin by purifying the soulVI. 28Of the first purgation which is that of mortal sinVII. 29Of the second purgation which is that of affections of sinVIII. 31Of the means to make this second purgationIX. 32First meditation.- On our creationX. 34Second meditation.- On the end for which we were createdXI. 36Third meditation.- On the benefits of GodXII. 38Fourth meditation.- On sinXIII. 41Fifth meditation.- On deathXIV. 43Sixth meditation.- On judgmentXV. 45Seventh meditation.- On hellXVI. 47Eighth judgment.- On heavenXVII. 49Ninth meditation.- By way of election and choice of heavenXVIII. 51Tenth meditation.- By way of election and choice which the soul makes of a devout lifeXIX. 53How to make a general confessionXX. 54An authentic protestation, to engrave in the soul the resolution to serve God and to conclude the acts of penanceXXI. 56Inferences drawn from the foregoing protestationXXII. 57That we must purify ourselves from affection to venial sinXXIII 59That we ought to purify ourselves from an affection to unprofitable amusementsXXIV. 60That we must purge ourselves from our evil inclinationsPart TwoI. 61Of the necessity of prayerII. 64A short method for meditation; and, first, of the presence of God, which is the first point of preparationIII. 66Of invocation, the second point of the preparationIV. 67Of the third point of preparation, which consists in proposing the subject of the mystery on which we intend to meditateV. 68Of considerations, which form the second part of the meditationVI. 69Of affections and resolutions, the third part of meditationVII. 70Of the conclusion and spiritual nosegayVIII. 71Certain profitable advices on the subject of meditationIX. 73Of the dryness which we sometimes experience in meditationX. 74Of the morning exerciseXI. 76Of the evening exercise and the examination of conscienceXII. 77Of spiritual recollectionXIII. 79Of aspirations, ejaculatory prayers, and good thoughtsXIV. 84Of the holy sacrifice of mass, and how we ought to hear itXV. 86Of vespers, and other public exercisesXVI. 87Of the honor and invocation of saintsXVII. 88How we ought to hear and read the word of GodXVIII. 90How we ought to receive inspirationsXIX. 92Of holy confessionXX 95Of frequent communionXXI. 98How we ought to communicatePart ThreeI. 100Of the choice we ought to make as to the exercise of virtuesII. 104A continuation of the former discourse about the choice of virtuesIII. 107Of patienceIV. 111Of exterior humilityV. 113Of more internal humilityVI. 118That humility makes its love our own abjectionVII. 121How we are to preserve our good name in the practice of humilityVIII. 124Of meekness towards our neighbor, and remedies against angerIX. 127Of meekness towards ourselvesX. 130That we mast treat our affairs with diligence, but without eagerness or solicitudeXI. 132Of obedienceXII. 134Of the necessity of chastityXIII. 137Advice how to preserve chastityXIV. 140Of poverty of spirit to be observed in the midst of richesPlus 60 more chapters and Epilogue!