Treatise Written to a Devout Man

About this book

A short treatise by the English contemplative Walter Hilton, written in the fourteenth century for a devout reader. Hilton gives measured counsel on prayer, temptation, and the ordering of the inner life, suited to someone pursuing devotion while living in the world. Brief and practical, it shows the same calm spiritual direction found in his larger Scale of Perfection.

Contents

1. Chapter I. That he who intends to become a Spiritual Man must first use much Bodily Exercise in Penance, and in Destroying of Sin.
2. Chapter II. To what kind of Men the Active Life pertaineth 🔒
3. Chapter III. To whom the Contemplative Life appertaineth 🔒
4. Chapter IV. To whom appertained the Mixed Life. 🔒
5. Chapter V. How holy Bishops held and used the said Mixed Life 🔒
6. Chapter VI. That kind of Life was most fitting for him for whom this Treatise was made 🔒
7. Chapter VII. That a Man's Devotion sometimes will be the greater by reason of the outward Work which before out of Charity he had been in hand with 🔒
8. Chapter VIII. What the Desire of God for Himself is and how that in Cleanness of Conscience is found true Comfort and Sweetness 🔒
9. Chapter IX. How thou shalt Dispose thee to Devotion 🔒
10. Chapter X. How a Man is to Think on the Humanity of Christ 🔒
11. Chapter XI. How a Man shall think on Virtues and upon the Saints 🔒
12. Chapter XII. How a Man shall think of the Holiness of our Lord Jesus and of our Blessed Lady 🔒
13. Chapter XIII. Of seeing and beholding the Power (by some consideration or thinking), the Wisdom, the Goodness and the Mercy of God in His Creatures 🔒
14. Chapter XIV. How the Consideration and thinking on the Miseries and Perils of this Life is apt to breed in a soul the Desire of Heaven 🔒
15. Chapter XV. How a Man shall do when he feeleth no taste nor comfort in his Mental Exercises 🔒
16. Chapter XVI. What a Man is to take heed of in his Prayers and Meditations 🔒