Religion
‹ 7 · Outline · 9 ›
8.Conversion and the religious life of the individual
8a.Narratives of conversion
See also: Sin 8b
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 754–755Visakha, courteous, hears the Teacher's Doctrine and attains conversion with her maidens.read · scan
- p. 755–756Mendaka is converted by a sermon and feeds the Buddha and priests liberally.read · scan
- p. 771–772Migara is converted by the Buddha's teaching, gains faith in the three refuges, and learns that gifts to the Order bring rich reward.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 393–394Jesus receives sinners and eats with them, against Pharisaic murmuring.read · scan
- p. 402Faith and mercy: blind man's persistent cry, people praise God; Zacchaeus receives Jesus joyfully and is granted salvation.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 440–441Philip preaches Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch, who is baptized and goes on rejoicing.read · scan
- p. 441–442Saul, persecutor of the Way, is struck by a heavenly light, hears Jesus, is healed and baptized.read · scan
- p. 442–443Saul proclaims Jesus as Son of God and Christ; the church, walking in the fear of the Lord, has peace and multiplies.read · scan
- p. 458Paul and Silas pray and sing in prison; the jailor asks how to be saved and is baptized with his household.read · scan
- p. 472Paul recounts his zealous Jewish upbringing, persecution of the Way, and conversion by Christ's vision on the road to Damascus.read · scan
- p. 479Paul defends his Pharisee life, hope of God's promise and resurrection, and recounts his persecution and Damascus vision.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 13Marked with the cross and salted, he heard early of eternal life through Christ's humility.read · scan
- p. 23–24Mother's temple in God begun, father a recent catechumen; a confessing heart and life of faith.read · scan
- p. 92Ecclesiastical books no longer seem absurd; he resolves to stand where his parents placed him until truth is found.read · scan
- p. 111–112He abandoned the Manichaean two-substance opinion and the idol of his own heart, awakening in God.read · scan
- p. 117–118Summary of Book Eight: Augustine's conversion through Simplicianus, Victorinus, Antony, and a voice from heaven with Scripture.read · scan
- p. 118Augustine offers thanksgiving for God's mercy, and seeks guidance from Simplicianus on the way to walk.read · scan
- p. 119Loves the beauty of God's house and sweetness of God, yet delays committing himself to religious life.read · scan
- p. 120Victorinus, aged idol-worshipper and defender of pagan rites, humbles himself to become a Christian.read · scan
- p. 120Victorinus's conversion: he resolves to enter the Church, is baptized; Simplicianus insists that faith be professed openly in the Church.read · scan
- p. 121–122Victorinus publicly professes the faith before the congregation, refusing a private profession, and is welcomed with rapture.read · scan
- p. 123–124Prays to be stirred to love; rejoicing at conversions, which are shared and inspire others to follow.read · scan
- p. 124–125Victorinus gave up teaching rather than God's Word under Julian's law; Augustine longs to serve God only.read · scan
- p. 128–129He wandered in sacrilegious superstition, preferring it to other sects he opposed maliciously.read · scan
- p. 129–130He longs to enter God's will and covenant, and to give up the hopes of this world.read · scan
- p. 134He is urged to cast himself on the Lord, who will receive and heal him.read · scan
- p. 135The child's chant 'take up and read' is taken as divine command; Scripture read brings conversion and dispels doubt.read · scan
- p. 136Alypius joins him after reading of the weak in faith; Augustine's conversion gives up wife and worldly hope.read · scan
- p. 140–141Conversion, baptism and membership in the Catholic Church shape Nebridius's faith and his household's Christianity.read · scan
- p. 141Conversion recalled: God tamed him with inward goads, and Alypius is brought to Christ's name.read · scan
- p. 143Christ's death, resurrection and intercession, and the sending of the Comforter, bring Augustine to faith.read · scan
- p. 145Prayer of friends heals Augustine's toothache; faith, baptism and reading of Scripture under Ambrose's counsel prepare him.read · scan
- p. 150–151Her holy conversation showed God's presence in her heart, and she won her husband to belief.read · scan
- p. 152–153Monica rejoices seeing Augustine a Catholic Christian, servant of God, despising earthly happiness.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 223Conversion, repentance and compunction as the path to acceptance with God.read · scan
- p. 234Statius tells how he became a secret Christian, was baptized, aided persecuted believers, and did penance for lukewarm concealment.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 391St. James is to question Dante on hope; Dante recalls his baptism and entering the faith.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 118Evelake is converted to the new law and Trinity; the shield with Christ's cross gives him victory and heals a severed hand.read · scan
- p. 161–163Hermit urges Gawaine to yield his old age to God, having never served his Maker.read · scan
- p. 205Galahad's holy quest: prayer, mass, a king's blessed death in Christ, and miracles that mark sanctity.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 252–254In prison man knows God and prays, and evil men come out holy and wise.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 370The Captive says the Moorish girl is inwardly a fervent Christian awaiting baptism and instruction in the Church's ceremonies.read · scan
- p. 397A Moorish girl, taught Christianity by a captive woman, trusts Lela Marien and kisses the cross, longing for the Christian country.read · scan
- p. 398He swears on a crucifix, believing firmly in God, and yearns to return to the Church.read · scan
- p. 414Zoraida declares herself a Christian, guided by Lela Marien; conversion framed as passage from darkness to light.read · scan
William Drummond, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 326–327John the Baptist's call to repent in the wilderness; the poet's devotional stance and the world as God's book.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 77Nearchus urges faith in Christ, forsaking wife, wealth and rank; the Cross alone conquers fear.read · scan
- p. 127Pauline, newly baptized in her husband's blood, declares herself Christ's and vows to break the pagan shrines.read · scan
- p. 127–128Pauline and Felix are converted to Christ; Felix sees death as gain by the redeeming Cross; Severus reveres their faith.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 135Wearied by vain search for the true good, we stretch our arms to the Redeemer.read · scan
- p. 135–136Contradictions in man led Pascal to the true religion.read · scan
- p. 178Christ present through Scripture, Church, priests and the faithful's prayer; conversion is His work.read · scan
- p. 231Those who seek God with all their heart are offered comfort in a Redeemer.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 348–350Renewal of the believer's spirit, new language of faith, and the new song of love as marks of the Christian life.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 383–384Conversion: worldly delights lose sweetness while piety brings bitterness, a conflict of affections between visible vanity and invisible good.read · scan
- p. 387Pascal's conversion, submission of his mind to Christ, penitence and retreat to Port-Royal under spiritual directors.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 13The dreamer sees a ragged man with a Book and burden weeping in distress, opening the spiritual journey.read · scan
- p. 13–14Distressed by the Book, he prays, reads and cries out to be saved from coming divine destruction.read · scan
- p. 15–16Christian forsakes the City of Destruction for an incorruptible inheritance in Heaven, resisting neighbors' mockery and persuasion.read · scan
- p. 16–17Christian persuades Pliable with the Book's promises, confirmed by the blood of Christ, while Obstinate returns.read · scan
- p. 21–22Christian seeks deliverance from his burden at the Wicket-gate on the direction of Evangelist.read · scan
- p. 29–31Christian tells how he came to the Gate, escaping Legality's mountain; his neighbours turned back and he alone persevered.read · scan
- p. 41–42Conversion: forgiveness, new raiment and seal, and the Cross as the beginning of bliss.read · scan
- p. 51–52Christian recounts his pilgrim life: God-directed conversion, Evangelist's guidance, and the Interpreter's lessons on grace.read · scan
- p. 52–53Cross, forgiveness, thanksgiving to God, and the hope of a heavenly country.read · scan
- p. 54–55Prayer for family; conviction of danger of judgment; family scorns his precise godliness.read · scan
- p. 70–72Faithful believes the city will be destroyed by fire and has escaped, while neighbors derided the pilgrimage.read · scan
- p. 139–140Conversion narrative and fellowship of saints; good discourse keeps pilgrims spiritually awake.read · scan
- p. 140–141Describes the workings of God's Spirit in beginning a sinner's conversion.read · scan
- p. 143–144Hopeful is taught to pray for mercy and faith in Jesus; he persists in prayer despite delay.read · scan
- p. 144–145Hopeful perseveres in prayer and receives a vision of Christ; faith is coming to Christ in heart and affection.read · scan
- p. 145–147Revelation of Christ makes Hopeful love a holy life and long to honour Christ.read · scan
- p. 184–185Christiana's new godly speech and resolve to go on pilgrimage astonish her neighbors.read · scan
- p. 185–186Christiana longs to be with her husband in the King's presence, valuing heaven above earthly palaces; the neighbor calls it madness.read · scan
- p. 187Christiana's dream, the King's letter and the maxim that the bitter goes before the sweet drive her pilgrimage.read · scan
- p. 188Christiana invites Mercy to the pilgrimage, trusting in the merciful King.read · scan
- p. 195–196Christiana's song blesses the day she became a pilgrim, turning tears to joy and fears to faith.read · scan
- p. 201–202Christiana comes as a pilgrim seeking the privileged house; convinced no way is right but this, and hopes to be found blameless.read · scan
- p. 208–209Christiana recounts what moved her to take up the pilgrim life: guilt, a dream, a letter from the King, despite discouragement.read · scan
- p. 209–210Mercy's conversion: moved by hearing Christiana's dream of heaven, she leaves home to follow, likened to Ruth's faith.read · scan
- p. 247–248Great-heart's mission is to turn sinners to repentance, from darkness to light and Satan's power to God.read · scan
- p. 257–258Godly life begins in heaviness of mind; God tunes the soul first on the bass string; salvation compared to musicians before the throne.read · scan
- p. 276–277Pilgrims recount earlier trials and the conversion of Hopeful through Faithful's death.read · scan
- p. 297–298Valiant was drawn to pilgrimage by report of Christian's journey and reception; all is nothing unless one enters at the Gate.read · scan
- p. 318–319He notes he was converted by God, and that Christian's children live on for the increase of the Church.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 45–46The Catholic widow landlady, a clergyman's daughter converted by her husband, illustrates religious conversion.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 231A destitute Calvinist youth is induced to convert for subsistence and confined in a hospice for proselytes.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 169Woolman recounts childhood acquaintance with divine love, reading Scripture and longing for God's habitation.read · scan
- p. 171Turning from Scripture and heavenly things, then humbled before God and finding relief in prayer.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 60He sees the convent as God's sign of His will and resolves to become a friar.read · scan
- p. 63–64The kiss of peace and an appeal for God's sake mark a religious reconciliation.read · scan
- p. 88The servant wishes to save his soul, and the friar blesses him.read · scan
- p. 349–350The priests are astonished and hesitant at the notorious man coming to seek the Cardinal.read · scan
- p. 350–351He took elementary religious maxims in earnest, tested them and found them true, making them the rule of his life.read · scan
- p. 365–366Federigo prays, calling the conversion a miracle of grace and himself an unprofitable servant.read · scan
- p. 367–368Conversion and divine blessing are acknowledged; the chaplain quotes scripture on the change wrought by the Most High.read · scan
- p. 370Prayer and praise with the people; the convert is to reap the first-fruits of mercy.read · scan
- p. 374The crowd blesses the Unnamed, he bows before the church, and Don Abbondio commends himself to Heaven at the chanting.read · scan
- p. 400–401The Unnamed's conversion spreads through the valley with consternation among his dependents.read · scan
- p. 401He attributes his change to God's mercy and calls his men to renounce evil and obey God's laws.read · scan
- p. 402They see his conversion as sainthood, and his words on fear of God were disbelieved only in ridicule.read · scan
- p. 404The Unnamed kneels and recites childhood prayers, feeling gratitude and confidence in divine mercy.read · scan
- p. 479–480The Unnamed's conversion is marveled at; his castle likened to the Thebaid; the Cardinal's portrait is venerated.read · scan
- p. 481–482Cardinal Federigo's part in the conversion serves as a sacred shield.read · scan
- p. 483–484Hatred falls on Cardinal Federigo for intruding; the Unnamed is seen as seeing to his own soul.read · scan
- p. 589Renzo acknowledges he spoke like a beast, not a Christian; Christ's commands to forgive and love enemies.read · scan
8b.The pilgrim's way: trial, perseverance and backsliding
See also: Courage 5c · Hospitality 10b · Angel 6 · Sign and Symbol 6b
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 391–392Strive for the narrow door; entry to the kingdom is not guaranteed by table-fellowship or hearing.read · scan
- p. 393Parable of the great supper: invited guests refuse, so the poor and outcast fill the kingdom.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 25–26The Plowman lives in peace and perfect charity, working for Christ's sake.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 215–216Reliance on God, prayer and watchfulness against the devil as the religious response to trial and affliction.read · scan
- p. 216–217Trust in God, humility and prayer bring help in temptation; God orders all for the welfare of His elect.read · scan
- p. 228–229Devout man longs to be freed from sin and fleshly necessity, aspiring to the Kingdom of God and things above.read · scan
- p. 229Exhorts to spiritual progress, amendment, patience and waiting for God's mercy.read · scan
- p. 230Preparation for the coming of the Son of Man and the other world.read · scan
- p. 234Be watchful in God's service, renounce the world, and hold good hope of reward.read · scan
- p. 240–241Devotional counsel on humility and charity as the religious life.read · scan
- p. 260–261Men strive harder for trifles than for eternal life; God promises reward to the faithful and asks trust in His words.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 106–108The Sangreal quest begins; the mysterious old man in white brings a knight of Joseph of Arimathea's kindred.read · scan
- p. 112–114The quest of the Sangreal is undertaken as a devotion to seeing the Grail openly.read · scan
- p. 114The Grail quest is a high spiritual service; the hermit forbids ladies to accompany the knights.read · scan
- p. 139–140Percivale crosses himself, prays all night against temptation, and is noted as among the few who perfectly believed in God.read · scan
- p. 142–143The sign of the cross destroys the devil's power; Percivale is urged to keep his baptism.read · scan
- p. 150Launcelot prays at the Cross not to fall into deadly sin again; visions of worship of the Cross by kings.read · scan
- p. 152–154The recluse counsels Launcelot on the quest of the Sangreal, faith, and earthly versus heavenly knighthood.read · scan
- p. 164–165Bors crosses himself, hears service and relies on God's grace before battle.read · scan
- p. 178Bors makes the sign of the Cross and commits himself to Christ before entering the ship.read · scan
- p. 181They cross the saddles, and the knights attribute their meeting and escape from temptations to God's grace.read · scan
- p. 199Launcelot is rebuked for trusting his armour more than his Maker and is driven at sea, praying for the Sangreal.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 114He gives up office to serve God more quietly.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 203–204Life as a pilgrimage with staff of faith and bottle of salvation, ending in heaven.read · scan
Edmund Spenser, Prefatory Letter to Sir Walter Raleigh on the Faerie QueeneVol. 39
- p. 63–64The clownish youth wins the adventure by wearing the armour of a Christian man from St. Paul.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written During the Civil War and the Protectorate, 1642-1658Vol. 4
- p. 78–79The wise virgin with lamp trimmed awaits the Bridegroom.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 323–324Their discourse aims only at God's glory; spiritual union in a new life, as Saint-Cyran taught.read · scan
- p. 327–328Faithful must watch unceasingly, renew the spirit and purify the interior to preserve grace.read · scan
- p. 350Perseverance in piety is rarer than entering upon it; Pascal prays God to complete the work he began in the pious.read · scan
- p. 351–352The faithful life is a lifelong warfare between God's drawing and concupiscence, ending in peace with God.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 5The book portrays the pilgrim seeking the everlasting prize, and the folly of those who fail, guiding readers to the Holy Land.read · scan
- p. 17–19Martyrs suffered for love of the Lord; the Book records the promise.read · scan
- p. 20The Slough cannot be mended despite instructions brought by the King's labourers; steps of promise lie through it, and forgiveness comes by faith.read · scan
- p. 35Divine testimonies of the world to come are set against worldly proverbs.read · scan
- p. 36–38Allegory of striving for heaven's eternal glory.read · scan
- p. 38–39A professor who fell away from the faith; a caution to pilgrims.read · scan
- p. 46–47Pilgrim's journey to the Celestial City, prayer on his knees, and reliance on the Lord of the Hill.read · scan
- p. 49–50Lions placed for trial of faith; the house built by the Lord of the Hill for relief of pilgrims.read · scan
- p. 50Pilgrims welcomed as blessed of the Lord into a house built for their relief.read · scan
- p. 57Lord's pedigree, willingness to receive offenders, and armory of faith for pilgrims in his service.read · scan
- p. 58–59Biblical relics of the Lord's servants and armoring of pilgrim; Delectable Mountains promise comfort near the Celestial City.read · scan
- p. 59–60Christian blesses the porter and is armed and provisioned by godly companions on his pilgrimage.read · scan
- p. 60–61Christian's faith and allegiance to his heavenly King are tested by the devil's temptation to return.read · scan
- p. 61–62Christian prefers his Prince's service, wages and company and expects glory rather than present deliverance, trusting God to try his love.read · scan
- p. 62–63Christian declares he is on the King's Highway of Holiness.read · scan
- p. 65–66The narrator encourages the pilgrim: his way to Heaven lies by the gates of Hell.read · scan
- p. 74–75Christ, recognized by the wounds in his hands and side, intervenes and rescues the pilgrim.read · scan
- p. 89–90Exhortation to perseverance, faith in things invisible, and the incorruptible crown of heaven.read · scan
- p. 90–91Faith requires tribulation to enter the Kingdom of Heaven and committing souls to God.read · scan
- p. 92–93Pilgrims must pass through the world's Fair; Christ himself refused its vanities; pilgrims' trade is in heaven.read · scan
- p. 110–111Pilgrimage must not be hindered; the King will shame those who turn aside.read · scan
- p. 113–114The river is the River of God and Water of Life, from David and John.read · scan
- p. 122–123Immanuel's Land, shepherds' hospitality and faith and fear keep pilgrims steady on the way to the Celestial City.read · scan
- p. 124–125Pilgrimage as a show of faith that may be hollow; need to cry to the Strong for strengthread · scan
- p. 127–128Allegory of a weak but sincere believer beset by doubts on pilgrimageread · scan
- p. 128–130Little-faith keeps his jewels and certificate by Providence yet gets no comfort from them through dismayread · scan
- p. 130Losing the jewels would exclude him from the heavenly inheritance, worse than any thievesread · scan
- p. 130–131Christian distinguishes Esau, ruled by flesh and faithless, from Little-faith, whose little saving faith keeps him from selling his jewelsread · scan
- p. 132–133Great-grace's scars show the struggles of faith; the King comes to helpread · scan
- p. 151–152Pilgrims urge Ignorance to seek faith and salvation; he slights counsel, and they lament the many like him.read · scan
- p. 153–154Talk of Temporary, once forward in religion and awakened to his sins, who fell into backsliding.read · scan
- p. 154–155Reasons for backsliding: fear of hell without changed mind, fear of men, shame of religion; like a dog returning to its vomit.read · scan
- p. 155–156Stages of backsliding: dropping private prayer, shunning godly company, then open sin, ending in perdition without grace.read · scan
- p. 156–157Pilgrims rest in Beulah near heaven, renewed in their covenant with God and called the redeemed of the Lord.read · scan
- p. 157–158Pilgrims are refreshed in the King's gardens and approach the Gate, told they must reach it by their own faith.read · scan
- p. 161–163Those who loved the Lord and left all for his name are welcomed to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.read · scan
- p. 169–170Pilgrims leave house and home for the world to come, enduring hardships and beloved of their King.read · scan
- p. 173–175Weak pilgrims found the Lord of Pilgrims their Friend; the book hopes to turn strays to the right way.read · scan
- p. 177–178Christian's pilgrimage to the Celestial Country and the idle people of the City of Destruction.read · scan
- p. 186Christiana sees trials as proof she is in the right way; the bitter precedes and sweetens the sweet.read · scan
- p. 202–203Old saints rejoice to see the young walk in God's ways and welcome them lovingly.read · scan
- p. 211–212Pilgrims are clothed in white and sing that the lessons seen move them to watch, pray, be sincere and serve the Lord with fear.read · scan
- p. 219Pilgrims refuse the King's servants' warning and the word spoken in his name; the Prince provides resting places for the faithful.read · scan
- p. 220Pilgrims should watch and remember what they have received; the way to Heaven is a ladder up, to Hell a hill down.read · scan
- p. 224–225The house welcomes the pilgrims as vessels of God's grace.read · scan
- p. 251–252Even a frozen heart thaws when the Sun of Righteousness rises; pilgrims greet with a holy kiss of charity.read · scan
- p. 253He fears acceptance and feels unworthy at the Gate, where he is welcomed with peace and blessing.read · scan
- p. 253–255The Interpreter shows tender mercy to the fearful, granting his request and giving comfort.read · scan
- p. 255–256He is cheered at the Cross, and his fear concerns his final acceptance.read · scan
- p. 261–262Honest observes pilgrims who start zealously and fall back, and others who begin unpromisingly and prove good.read · scan
- p. 262–264Pilgrims who boast, doubt or turn back from the faith; Gaius's inn is open only to true pilgrims.read · scan
- p. 264–266Gaius defends women, noting their devotion to Christ at the cross and resurrection and their share in the grace of life.read · scan
- p. 272Feeble-mind's weak but fixed pilgrim life, welcomed by the Lord at the Gate and resolved to persevere to the end.read · scan
- p. 275–276Feeble-mind, a weak and ignorant Christian, is troubled by others' rejoicing; Great-heart comforts the weak and forgoes disputes for him.read · scan
- p. 279–280Good men in Vanity are few; sight of them cheers pilgrims as moon and stars cheer sailors.read · scan
- p. 281–282Pilgrimage stands for the Christian life, whose professors should live as strangers in the earth.read · scan
- p. 284–285Pilgrimage journey of faith, remembering martyr Faithful and the temptations of the way.read · scan
- p. 288–290Pilgrims steer from sin to grace and are welcomed by the Shepherds at the Delectable Mountains.read · scan
- p. 293–294Pilgrims sing of the stages set for their relief as they make the other life their home.read · scan
- p. 298–299Pilgrimage as the religious life, opposed by relatives as idle and dangerous.read · scan
- p. 299–300Dangers of the pilgrim way recited: despair, hypocrisy, formality, ignorance that turn men from the faith.read · scan
- p. 309–311Pilgrims prepared and anointed to cross the river, awaiting the appointed hour.read · scan
- p. 311–312Pilgrim faith: watchfulness, thankfulness for deliverance, hope to the end, and a King who gives a Crown of Life.read · scan
- p. 312–313Faithful pilgrims are summoned by their King; Feeble-mind is advised to repent of his fear and doubt of God's goodness.read · scan
- p. 313–314Feeble-mind's last words are 'Hold out Faith and Patience'; the Post's tokens attest the truth of the message.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 22–23Pilgrim's Progress is more widely read than any book but the Bible.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 334–335Speaker jokes of reading Bunyan and Boston and growing pious, groaning gospel-groans.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1002–1003Galahad's chaste devotion, prayer, shrines, hymns and pursuit of the Holy Grail as a religious questread · scan
8c.Grace, works and justification
See also: Liberty 3a · Theology 6a · Sin 9c
Paul, The Second Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 524Liberality as the grace of God, giving oneself first to the Lord; collection for the saints.read · scan
- p. 526–527Giving and obedience to the gospel produce thanksgiving and glorify God; spiritual warfare and Christ's authority.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 455–456Peter and James argue Gentiles are saved by faith and grace without the burden of the law.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 106–108Grace to the humble and the way of humility in the Incarnation.read · scan
- p. 108Humility, gratitude and coming to Christ for rest contrasted with proud learning that fails to glorify God.read · scan
- p. 114Humility and love, not self-confidence, draw men to Christ.read · scan
- p. 181Prayer for grace: give what Thou enjoinest; hope is only in God's mercy.read · scan
- p. 183He relies on scripture and God's grace, quoting Paul that he can do all things through Christ.read · scan
- p. 196–197Faith in Christ's Passion saves, and hope rests on his intercession.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 365The argument addresses salvation and the inefficacy of mere profession of belief in Christ.read · scan
- p. 370Spirits rewarded for piety: David, Trajan, Hezekiah's repentance and prayer, Constantine's well-meant act.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 208At the Day of Judgment we shall be asked what we have done, not what we have read.read · scan
- p. 250–251Accept grace that makes one humbler; give thanks to God for gifts and confess one's own fault, patient when favour is withdrawn.read · scan
- p. 307Christ as inward teacher; devotion and service of God matter more than curious questions.read · scan
- p. 325–326Grace is a supernatural light, mark of the elect and pledge of salvation; prayer for grace.read · scan
- p. 327–328Prayer praising grace as necessary for beginning, progress and perfection, more powerful than enemies and wiser than the wise.read · scan
Martin Luther, Concerning Christian LibertyVol. 36
- p. 344–345Luther offers his treatise as a summary of the Christian life and says true faith is known only by experience under tribulation.read · scan
- p. 347Faith alone, through the preached word, brings salvation; clergy exist only for ministry of the word.read · scan
- p. 348The Christian's first care is to strengthen faith rather than trust in works.read · scan
- p. 351Faith is the truest obedience and worship; works done in unbelief cannot save.read · scan
- p. 352Faith honours God and is rewarded with imputed righteousness, as with Abraham.read · scan
- p. 353Salvation and redemption through faith in Christ's victory.read · scan
- p. 353–354Faith alone fulfils the First Commandment and glorifies God by confessing him true, not works.read · scan
- p. 359Faith justifies alone, yet in this life the Christian must still do works, serving God joyfully in free love.read · scan
- p. 360Faith alone is righteousness before God; works are done out of disinterested love and obedience to Him.read · scan
- p. 360–361Works of a justified believer are like Adam's in paradise: free, done only to please God, not for justification.read · scan
- p. 361–362Faith consecrates the person; works like a bishop's offices have no validity without prior consecration.read · scan
- p. 362Faith alone justifies and saves through God's mercy; the Christian needs no law or work for salvation.read · scan
- p. 363Persons are made good by faith and bad by unbelief, and justified by the word of God's grace, not works.read · scan
- p. 364Works are embraced when free but condemned if offered as grounds of justification, which belongs to grace through faith.read · scan
- p. 365–366The Christian, needing nothing for salvation, does all works to serve neighbours, fulfilling the law of Christ through faith working by love.read · scan
- p. 366Paul's exhortation and Christ's example of taking a servant's form: Christian works should be directed to benefit neighbours.read · scan
- p. 367Faith is the believer's life and salvation; freed from works, he freely serves his neighbour as Christ served him.read · scan
- p. 368Christian life of faith in Christ; Christians become Christs to one another, freely helping the neighbour.read · scan
- p. 369Riches of Christian life; faith versus seeking merits; Mary and Paul as examples of works done freely after justification.read · scan
- p. 370Works of clergy and monasteries should be done as example and service, not for justification, which is by faith alone.read · scan
- p. 370–371Criticizes fasts, prayers to saints and monasteries as works sought for salvation; true works serve neighbour and discipline body.read · scan
John Calvin, Dedication of the Institutes of the Christian ReligionVol. 39
- p. 30Faith rests in God as a propitious Father and in Christ as Mediator, though believers suffer chains, scourges and slander.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 264–265Prayer and pious works: salvation comes to those who do the Father's will, our wills being our performances.read · scan
- p. 309Faith without works cannot be boasted of; zealots relying on faith alone still challenge Heaven; true faith is a means of salvation.read · scan
- p. 311Almsgiving is done to fulfil God's will, not natural inclination; divinity calls merely rational moralists heathens.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 163Difficulty in godliness comes from remaining irreligion and corruption resisting supernatural grace, not from the religion.read · scan
- p. 168–169Faith is given by grace, not from our own power; boasting is excluded; we must expect nothing from ourselves.read · scan
- p. 170–171Knowing Jesus Christ is the middle course between pride and despair; the Incarnation shows the greatness of man's misery.read · scan
- p. 172–173Christian hope of an infinite good combines enjoyment with fear; hope for holiness and freedom from injustice.read · scan
- p. 176Pascal blesses his Redeemer, who by grace freed him from weakness, lust, pride and ambition; all glory is due to grace.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 347–348Grace is a continual flow like river or sunlight; obligation to the Church; miracle excites faith and serviceread · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 396Christians draw little from philosophy; grace is the remedy.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 23–24Legality and Civility in the village of Morality offer relief by works, a false way that terrifies Christian at Sinai.read · scan
- p. 25–26Evangelist shows the words of God: the just live by faith, and drawing back from God's counsel risks perdition.read · scan
- p. 26–27Evangelist unmasks Worldly Wiseman, who prefers the doctrine of this world and hates the Cross; he urges keeping to the strait gate.read · scan
- p. 28–29Knocking at the Gate, God's welcome, and Satan's arrows at those who approach dramatize faith and grace.read · scan
- p. 31–32God's mercy admits sinners; the narrow way is set by prophets and apostles, and the burden is borne until deliverance.read · scan
- p. 35–36Allegory of the work of grace in the heart, sustained secretly by Christ's oil against the Devil's water.read · scan
- p. 40–41Salvation through the Cross; the Interpreter's lessons goad the pilgrim forward.read · scan
- p. 79–80Talk of scripture, the new birth, repentance, prayer and the gospel's consolations.read · scan
- p. 83Soul of religion is practice: pure religion is visiting the fatherless and widows; talk alone is a dead carcass.read · scan
- p. 84–85Faithful tests Talkative on how saving grace shows itself in the heart, house and conversation.read · scan
- p. 85–86True faith shown in deed and heart rather than speculation or talk; distinguishes talkers from true Christians.read · scan
- p. 86–87Faith proved by confession and a life of holiness in heart, family and world, not by talk like a hypocrite.read · scan
- p. 125–126Ignorance trusts in praying, fasting, tithes and alms for admission to the Celestial Cityread · scan
- p. 126–127Christian says entering not by the Wicket-Gate makes one a thief; Ignorance follows his country's religionread · scan
- p. 141–142Prayer, reading and religious duties prove insufficient; all righteousnesses are as filthy rags.read · scan
- p. 142–143Faithful teaches justification through the righteousness of Jesus, imputed to the believer.read · scan
- p. 148–149Right thoughts of God and self agree with the Word; Ignorance lacks sense of need of Christ's righteousness.read · scan
- p. 149–151Christian confronts Ignorance's self-righteous faith, distinguishing true justifying faith in Christ's righteousness from trust in one's own religious duties.read · scan
- p. 200–201Salvation, grace and unasked kindness of the Lord; pilgrimage and the House of the Interpreter.read · scan
- p. 215–216Being affected by Christ's sacrifice is a special grace not given to all who saw him bleed.read · scan
- p. 231–232Mercy does good works to lay up a foundation for eternal life; mere professors of religion are shown hypocritical.read · scan
- p. 235–236Petition and prayer: the weak may call the strong to prayers.read · scan
- p. 269–270Grace must overcome the soul before it can resist sin; comparison of a young and old pilgrim.read · scan
- p. 270–271A young pilgrim's grace shows stronger against greater opposition; old men mistake natural decay for victory over corruption; Isaiah 53 interpreted.read · scan
- p. 314–315Honest's last words 'Grace reigns' express the pilgrim's faith in grace at death.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 93–94Franklin supports a preacher accused of heterodoxy by orthodox Presbyterians; sermons stressing good works rather than dogma.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 220Living in the real substance of religion, where practice harmonizes with principle, is the test of scruple against war.read · scan
- p. 232Drafted men and parents reflect their lives were too little conformable to their religion.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 258Reward of Paradise and God's sun frame the tale's hope of salvation through good deeds.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, On LibertyVol. 25
- p. 233–235Christians hold Christ's precepts as dead beliefs, giving homage to them but real allegiance to worldly custom.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1012–1013She seeks Bible verses of compassion and mercy, rejecting Election and Reprobationread · scan
Hippolyte Taine, Introduction to the History of English LiteratureVol. 39
- p. 414Beneath theological dissertations one discerns the excitements of the religious life and the triumphs of grace.read · scan
8d.Mortification, the cross and imitation of Christ
See also: Pleasure and Pain 6c
Aeschylus, Prometheus BoundVol. 8
- p. 201–203Editor's note sees Cheiron's dying in Prometheus's place as a shadowing of the Atonement and vicarious satisfaction.read · scan
Paul, The Second Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 523Separation from unbelievers, believers as temple of the living God, cleansing from defilement, holiness in fear of God.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 378Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ; the call to deny oneself, take up the cross and follow.read · scan
- p. 380Discipleship demands total commitment: no looking back from the plow; the kingdom of God comes before family and home.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 344Dante offers an holocaust to God, sees Christ on the cross of Mars, and speaks of taking up the crossread · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 205–206Follow Christ's life and mind; love and service of God are the whole of devotion.read · scan
- p. 212–213Submission and silence for the love of God; worldly talk defiles conscience.read · scan
- p. 231Salvation, penitence and dying to the world to live with Christ.read · scan
- p. 236Follow Jesus crucified as the model; religious life demands zeal, duty to one's calling and praise of God.read · scan
- p. 239Contemplate the Most High and the passion of Christ; find comfort in his wounds and be a friend of Christ through suffering.read · scan
- p. 249–250Man is born to labour and bear the cross; spiritual comforts exceed worldly delights and grace goes to the grateful and humble.read · scan
- p. 251–252Many love Jesus for comforts, few bear his Cross; true lovers praise him in tribulation without seeking consolation.read · scan
- p. 252–253True devotion requires giving up self entirely and taking up the Cross; servants of the Cross will meet Christ the Judge boldly.read · scan
- p. 253The Cross is the sole way to holiness and eternal life; follow Christ by bearing daily mortification and tribulation patiently.read · scan
- p. 254Christ's whole life was cross and martyrdom; the saints share it; grace turns tribulation into divine comfort.read · scan
- p. 255–256Bearing the cross, meekness and faith in Christ are enjoined; suffering is the path to paradise and service of Jesus.read · scan
- p. 256–257Suffering for Christ is most acceptable to God; Christ's word and example command taking up the cross to enter the kingdom.read · scan
- p. 279–280Prayer to Christ, whose patient example and Passion open the way to heaven; the believer bears life's burden in imitation of Christ and the saints.read · scan
- p. 295Rejoice in affliction as Christ's disciples were sent to labours and contempt; contemplation requires renouncing creatures to be united to God.read · scan
- p. 298–299Devout praise and love of God, purity of intention, mortification of the flesh.read · scan
- p. 312–313Humility, suffering for God's sake and hope of the Kingdom of God.read · scan
- p. 323–324Grace as God's gift leads to self-mortification, discipline and living under God.read · scan
- p. 328–329Christ calls for self-denial, bearing the cross and imitation of Him as the way to blessedness.read · scan
- p. 329–330Devoted servant's life is a cross leading to paradise; perseverance in following Jesus and trusting in grace.read · scan
- p. 348–349Christ's self-sacrifice on the Cross is the model for the believer's daily offering of himself to God.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 148–150Penance, daily mass, hair shirt and taking the Cross as host mark the devout quest.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 236Christ's authority and counsel would have won the world to such a commonwealth but for pride.read · scan
Martin Luther, The Ninety-Five ThesesVol. 36
- p. 258Exhorts Christians to follow Christ through suffering rather than false peace and security.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 103He whips his body and follows the maxim to look first to God.read · scan
- p. 103Martyrdom and suffering for the love of God.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, That to Philosophise Is to Learne How to DieVol. 32
- p. 12–13Takes example from Christ, who ended his human life at thirty-three.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 224Quixote practises fasting and penance in imitation of romance heroes.read · scan
A Sweet Lullaby; Preparations; The Unfaithful ShepherdessVol. 40
- p. 199–200Contrasts eager preparation for an earthly king with neglect of Christ, whom men lodge in the manger, not a chamber.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 32Counsels giving to the poor only with a vocation; goodness shows conformity with Christ.read · scan
Robert Southwell, The Burning BabeVol. 40
- p. 218–219Christmas vision of the burning Christ-child whose love purifies men's souls.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 115Severus is baffled by the Christian bliss that makes Polyeucte spurn his wife; Pauline cites Christ's death as model of magnanimity.read · scan
- p. 119–121Polyeucte affirms Christian faith, eternal life through Christ's cross, suffering purifying believers, and refuses Felix's feigned conversion.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at School and at College, 1624-1632Vol. 4
- p. 23–25Meditates on Christ's Passion, his sufferings, death and burial, in devotional verse.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at Horton, 1632-1638Vol. 4
- p. 40–42Nativity ode: Christ enters the world to bleed for man, whose sin already seizes His infancy.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 116Devout persons despise birth by piety's new light; perfect Christians honour it by a higher light.read · scan
- p. 116–117True Christians comply with worldly folly out of obedience to God's command, not respect for folly.read · scan
- p. 155Jesus Christ alone leads to the way, truth and life.read · scan
- p. 155–156No other religion proposes self-hatred; those who hate themselves would embrace the religion of a humiliated God.read · scan
- p. 176–177Meditation on Christ's agony in Gethsemane, abandoned by sleeping friends, saving mankind where Adam lost it.read · scan
- p. 177Jesus in agony seeks comfort from sleeping disciples; we must not sleep until the end of the world.read · scan
- p. 178We must imitate Jesus by tearing from loved ones, pray longer, and ask God to deliver us from vices.read · scan
- p. 179He must join his wounds to Christ's and not postpone; do little things as great and great as little through Christ's omnipotence.read · scan
- p. 256He shows the perfect way and is the redeemer, distinguished from the glorious judge.read · scan
- p. 267Christ's offices: saviour, priest and victim, lawgiver engraving laws on hearts, sacrificing himself with bread and wine.read · scan
- p. 267–268Christ shares only earthly sorrows, and his love overflows from neighbors to enemies and to God's enemies.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 332Christian life understood as sacrifice in union with Christ's sacrifice.read · scan
- p. 333Sacrifice: death of the victim is its accomplishment, creature annihilated before God's majesty; God accepts.read · scan
- p. 333–334Christ's sacrifice compared to victims' smoke carried to God, accepted at his throne.read · scan
- p. 337Christian principle that all that befell Christ happens in each Christian; faith, hope, charity.read · scan
- p. 353Sanctification requires sufferings and joys; Christian life is not sadness, for we forsake pleasures only for greater ones.read · scan
- p. 356Temporal suffering guarantees against the eternal through Christ's merits; the yoke is his own.read · scan
- p. 357Christ's yoke is easy only through his divine power; disquiet comes from remaining evil; Scripture in Advent gives courage to the weak.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 370Devotion to the suffering Christ, incarnate to bear the ills our sins merited.read · scan
- p. 373Asks union with Christ's passion and Spirit so that his sufferings glorify God and mark him as a disciple.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 53–54Devotion to the Cross, Roll and the heavenly hope as sources of strength against corruption.read · scan
- p. 56–57Table talk of the Lord of the Hill, his love for poor pilgrims, his death on the Cross; Christian sings gratitude.read · scan
- p. 93–94Pilgrims suffer mockery and beating with patience, returning blessing for railing, imitating Christ.read · scan
- p. 173Pilgrimage means following God, bearing the cross, bewailing sin and winning the joyful prize.read · scan
- p. 178He ventured all for love of his Prince; the Lord will regard indignities done to pilgrims as done to himself.read · scan
- p. 292–293The glass shows the Prince of Pilgrims, his crown of thorns and wounds, in humiliation or exaltation.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 326Christ's compassion never fails his humble disciples; they find more in him than they lose.read · scan
- p. 357–358Assert religion when it is in question; Christians should follow Christ's example of not living for themselves.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 219–220Trust in God and the cross that crucifies to the world; religion held merely by education is contrasted with entire trust.read · scan
- p. 251His Christian humility, reading of the Redeemer and martyrs, and Quaker meetings shape his convictions.read · scan
- p. 261He turns to the Lord alone for help, resolves to live in plainness as a sincere follower of Christ.read · scan
- p. 274The soul addressed as God's temple, called to holy, simple living and to walk as Christ walked.read · scan
- p. 290–291Acts under Divine love and the cross of Christ, not his own will.read · scan
- p. 292–293Learning of Christ, meek and lowly, teaches concern for fellow-creatures.read · scan
- p. 297–298Purification, submission to God and Christ, scriptural figure of the water of separation as spiritual discipline.read · scan
- p. 298–299Power of Christ's cross crucifies the believer to the world; purity of heart lets one see God.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 64The friar renounces worldly delicacies, accepts only a loaf as a token of forgiveness, and is venerated by the crowd.read · scan
- p. 594The friar kneels with a rope round his neck, asks forgiveness of the sick for his shortcomings in serving Christ, and blesses them.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, On LibertyVol. 25
- p. 255–257Criticizes Calvinism's ideal of obedience and self-denial; a good Maker gave faculties to be cultivated, not rooted out.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1334She follows the Saviour's steps as a Sister of Mercy, serving the wretched and diseased.read · scan
- p. 1334–1335Sister of Mercy tends the dying, seen as saintly; almshouse echoes the Lord's words about the poor.read · scan
John Greenleaf Whittier, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1347–1349The Quaker Laird of Ury bears mob abuse passively, trusting his Master and imitating Christ's suffering.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 161–162Christ waits at the gate of the garden of the poor; serving them is seeking Him, with biblical vineyard imagery.read · scan
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