"God gives us some things, as the beginning of faith, even when we do not pray. Other things, such as perseverance, he has only provided for those who pray."

St Augustine

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

Thomas à Kempis

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"It is better to be burdened and in company with the strong than to be unburdened and with the weak. When you are burdened you are close to God, your strength, who abides with the afflicted. When you are relieved of the burden you are close to yourself, your own weakness; for virtue and strength of soul grow and are confirmed in the trials of patience."

St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church

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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.