by Johann Gerhard
In ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Thanks to Robert Louis for making this eBook avaialble. This devotional book by a prominent Lutheran theologian contains 51 meditations.
A new translation of the admirable devotional manual of John Gerhard needs no apology. The Meditationes Sacræ was first published in Latin in the year 1606, when the author was but twenty-two years old. It enjoys the singular distinction of being the only work written by a young man that gained and maintained a deep and lasting hold upon the Church, as so expressing the loftiest devotion, with spiritual insight so just, that all, even those old in the faith, might be guided and uplifted by the meditations of so young a disciple of Christ. It has been frequently reprinted in Latin; it was speedily translated into German, and later into most of the European languages, including the Greek. It has also been honored with an Arabic version. The English translation by R. Winterton (1631), passed through at least nineteen editions. It is not a large book, but a golden one.
John Gerhard was born of a good family in Quedlinburg, 17th of October, 1582. In his fifteenth year, during a dangerous illness which continued about a year, he came under the personal influence of John Arndt, and resolved to study for the ministry. In 1599, he entered the University of Wittenberg. During his studies, he relinquished his purpose and gave himself for two years to the study of medicine. But, in 1603, he resumed his reading of theology at Jena. On the completion of his course, he began to give lectures at Jena in 1605. In 1606, the same year in which the Meditationes Sacræ appeared, he accepted the duke of Coburg’s invitation to a professorship in the Coburg Gymnasium and to the superintendency of Heldburg.
In 1616, he became professor at the University of Jena, which position he retained until his death. Though still comparatively young, Gerhard had already come to be regarded as the greatest living
Table of Contents
I. Concerning true knowledge of sin.
II. An exercise of repentance from the Lord’s passion.
III. Concerning the fruit of true and earnest repentance.
IV. A meditation on the name of Jesus.
V. An exercise of faith from the love of Christ in the agony of death.
VI. Consolation for the penitent from the passion of Christ, esp. from Anselm.
VII. Concerning the fruit of the Lord’s passion.
VIII. Concerning the certainty of our salvation.
IX. Concerning loving God alone.
X. Concerning our reconciliation with God.
XI. Concerning satisfaction for our sins.
XII. Concerning the nature and properties of true faith.
XIII. Concerning the spiritual union of Christ and the soul.
XIV. Concerning the mystery of the incarnation.
XV. Concerning the salutary fruit of the incarnation.
XVI. The spiritual refreshment of the pious.
XVII. Concerning the fruits of Baptism.
XVIII. Concerning the salutary participation in the body and blood of Christ.
XIX. Concerning the mystery of the Lord’s Supper.
XX. Concerning earnest preparation before the use of the Holy Supper.
XXI. Concerning Christ’s ascension.
XXII. A homily concerning the Holy Spirit.
XXIII. Concerning the dignity of the Church.
XXIV. Meditation concerning predestination.
XXV. Concerning the salutary efficacy of prayer.
XXVI. Concerning the protection of the holy angels.
XXVII. The snares of the devil.
XXVIII. General rules for living a pious life.
XXIX. Concerning misplaced security.
XXX. Concerning the imitation of the holy life of Christ.
XXXI. Concerning self-denial.
XXXII. Concerning the true repose of the soul.
XXXIII. Concerning a pure conscience.
XXXIV. Concerning a zeal for true humility.
XXXV. Concerning the flight from avarice.
XXXVI. Concerning the properties of true charity.
XXXVII. Concerning a zeal for chastity.
XXXVIII. Concerning the fleeting nature of the present life.
XXXIX. Concerning the vanity of the world.
XL. Concerning the usefulness of temptation.
XLI. The fundamentals of Christian patience.
XLII. How temptation is overcome by perseverance.
XLIII. Concerning daily consideration of death.
XLIV. Consolation in the death of friends.
XLV. Concerning the Last Judgment.
XLVI. Concerning the desire for eternal life.
XLVII. Concerning the most blessed vision of God in heaven.
XLVIII. Concerning the most pleasant fellowship of angels in heaven.
XLVIX. Concerning the grave torments of hell.
L. Concerning eternal punishment in hell.
LI. Concerning the spiritual resurrection of the pious.