This manual of devotion consists of a series of chapters or instructions upon important points of Christian teaching which Saint Alphonsus calls "Considerations". As the Saint describes, "These Considerations are written for the purpose of pricking or of wounding the conscience... that so it may be thoroughly aroused and awakened." The Considerations deal with such doctrines and facts as have a universal application, which admit of no dispute, and which are always confirmed by some passage from Holy Scripture. Preparation for Death is essentially a guide to prayer. It represents, from its beginning to its end, the continual outpouring of heart before God, an outpouring that is at times expressed in the very same words which imply a new phase of thought. Regarded as a Manual of Mental Prayer, each of these "Considerations" has a technical and special signification. They treat of life and death, the value of time, the mercy of God, the habit of sin, the general and particular judgments, the love of God, Holy Communion, and other subjects equally important.
It will be seen that the following Manual of Devotion consists of a series of chapters or instructions upon important points of Christian teaching, which are called "Considerations."These Considerations are written for the purpose of pricking or of wounding the conscience, it may be in many points, that so it may be thoroughly aroused and awakened; of exciting, that is, compunction of the soul, real remorse of conscience for past as well as for present coldness and dryness. It must be a very hard heart, indeed, which is not moved by these "Considerations"so touchingly simple are they, so plain, and so wholly true. They deal with such doctrines and facts as have an universal application, which admit of no dispute, and which are always confirmed by some passage from Holy Scripture. It must be allowed, on all hands, that it is necessary for the soul to be aroused to feel its own needs, to regard its own wounds, that so it may be directed to a source where these needs can be supplied, and these wounds be healed. One great aim of this Treatise, is to arouse, as well as to direct the mind, to lead it to consider its own wants, and to seek by prayer to have those wants supplied. The book is essentially a guide to prayer. It represents, from its beginning to its end, the continual outpouring of heart before God; an outpouring that is of times expressed in the very same words which imply, at the same time, a new phase of thought. Regarded as a Manual of Mental Prayer, each of these "Considerations" has a technical and special signification. They treat of life and death, of the value of time, of the mercy of God, of the habit of sin, of the general and particular judgments, of the love of God, of the Holy Communion, and of kindred subjects equally important. The "Consideration,"as here used, implies far more than a mere inquiry. Its equivalents, the Italian Consideration, and the Latin Consideration, do not fully express its particular meaning in this Treatise, where it stands for a reflectional meditation. It calls into play the exercise of the memory, which puts together all the circumstances of the subject under notice; it excites the imagination, which represents, as in a picture, all such circumstances, bringing them vividly before the mind's eye; and, lastly, it urges the will so to fix and detain these things in the soul, that, by its own effort, it may unite itself with the will of God, so that God's will and the will of man may become one.
Preparations for Death, Or Considerations on the Eternal Maxims is a philosophical and religious work written by Saint Alphonsus Maria De Liguori. Saint De Liguori was a Catholic Bishop of Italian descent who lived during the eighteenth century. This work represents De Liguori's ruminations on the topic of death. The book is intended to prepare the reader for the death that is "imminent for all humans." The author remarks early that no individual can escape death, and that we must thus be prepared for death at all times. The book is divided into considerations, which each examine a specific aspect of dying. These considerations are examined in three parts, each discussing said consideration from a different angle, intended to make the subject matter approachable by those in any stage of life. Every section begins with a quote from scripture and closes with a series of prayers. In all, the author examines thirty-six distinct considerations. Saint Alphonsus Maria De Liguori's work is the writing of a wise man. His prose is simple and encourages the reader to enter an almost meditative state. While this book may appeal primarily to practicing Catholics, De Liguori efforts to make his work approachable by non-believers as well. Few writers could tackle such a challenging topic and pull it off the way De Liguori has. Preparations for Death, Or Considerations on the Eternal Maxims is a deeply affecting book on coming to terms with mortality and preparing for the inevitable. It is a reminder of the fleeting nature of existence, and the importance of living a good life. As a tool to improve one's life by preparing for death, Alphonsus Maria De Liguori's book is highly recommended. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
Brand new translation of St. Alphonsus Liguori's, Apparecchio alla Morte, capturing the simplicity of the Italian, while using correct ecclesiastical vocabulary. It is annotated copiously and contains an extensive bibliography. This translation is a major improvement over others that have been published, as they are all based on the 1830 English version. Preparation for Death delves into Church teaching on the four last things: death, judgment, hell, and heaven. It is not a somber book. More than 250 years after it was written, St. Alphonsus speaks to us as a loving shepherd, wishing for the salvation of all. He shows us that death is a sunny topic, if properly viewed as a portal to eternity, and if we have the desire and the perseverance to lead a life ordered to the Will of God. He teaches us to prepare early for the blessed life to come, and shows us how. Striking in the absence of overt theologizing, and faithful to the teachings of Holy Mother Church, St. Alphonsus does not fail to emphasize that sin is evil, that man is stained, and that his whole existence should be directed to-wards the glory of God. St. Alphonsus rarely makes abstractions, preferring to use ordinary, everyday vernacular, and employing examples to carry the weight of his arguments. In 36 pithy chapters, he stresses that the work of salvation is an individual act, in willing cooperation with God's grace, aided by the Angels and Saints, especially Mary most holy, our Blessed Mother, on whom he calls for aid at the end of each of the 108 devotions and prayers.
Explore the Book is not a commentary with verse-by-verse annotations. Neither is it just a series of analyses and outlines. Rather, it is a complete Bible survey course. No one can finish this series of studies and remain unchanged. The reader will receive lifelong benefit and be enriched by these practical and understandable studies. Exposition, commentary, and practical application of the meaning and message of the Bible will be found throughout this giant volume. Bible students without any background in Bible study will find this book of immense help as will those who have spent much time studying the Scriptures, including pastors and teachers. Explore the Book is the result and culmination of a lifetime of dedicated Bible study and exposition on the part of Dr. Baxter. It shows throughout a deep awareness and appreciation of the grand themes of the gospel, as found from the opening book of the Bible through Revelation.
Foreword by Willard Swartley "We considered him stricken by God, but . . ." Did God really pour out his wrath against sin on his Son to satisfy his own need for justice? Or did God-in-Christ forgive the world even as it unleashed its wrath against him? Was Christ's sacrifice the ultimate fulfillment of God's demand for redemptive bloodshed? Or was the cross God's great "No" to that whole system? This distinctively panoramic volume offers fresh perspectives on these and other difficult questions reemerging throughout the church today. Contributors: James Alison Kharalambos Anstall Mark D. Baker Sharon Baker Anthony Bartlett Marcus Borg Ronald S. Dart E. Robert Ekblad Michael Hardin Brad Jersak Andrew P. Klager Brita Miko C. F. D. Moule Wayne Northey Nathan Rieger Richard Rohr Miroslav Volf J. Denny Weaver Rowan Williams N. T. Wright
