The following of Christ. Writen in Latine by Thomas of Kempis Canon regular of the order of St. Augustin. Translated into English and in this last edition, reviewed compared with several former editions. Together with the authors life

London: Printed for M.T. 1686.              Price $1,100

Title page of 'The Following of Christ' by Thomas of Kempis, printed in London in 1686, featuring details about the translation and authorship.

Duodecimo; 10.5 x6 cm. A12a12 B-U12X9(10-12 presumed Blank) Bound in original full gilt blue calf, a very very lovely copy. 

A vintage book bound in dark leather with intricate gold detailing on the cover, showcasing its antique and valuable appearance.

After the Bible, The Imitation of Christ is the all-time favorite book of Catholics throughout the world.  à Kempis or whoever the ‘author was’ presents a path to The Imitation of Christ based on a focus on the interior life and withdrawal from the world. The Imitation of Christ first issued in 1418, Thomas entered Mount St. Agnes in 1406. He was not ordained a priest, however, until almost a decade later. He became a prolific copyist and writer. Thomas received Holy Orders in 1413 and was made sub-prior of the monastery in 1429.

Thomas à Kempis provided specific instructions for imitating Christ. His book is perhaps the most widely read Christian devotional work after the Bible. The approach taken by Kempis is characterized by its emphasis on the interior life and withdrawal from the world, as opposed to an active imitation of Christ (including outward preaching) by other friars.  The book places a high level of emphasis on the devotion to the Eucharist as key element of spiritual life

Kempis’s 1441 autograph manuscript of The Imitation of Christ is available in the Bibliothèque Royale in Brussels (shelfmark: MS 5455-61)

Wing T953A , ESTC listing : Copies – N.America  2 copies :Harvard University University of California, Los Angeles, William Andrews Clark  

508J Anon  (The traditional attribution to Thomas à Kempis is disputed) Thomas, à Kempis, 1380-1471, attributed name.

The following of Christ. Writen in Latine by Thomas of Kempis Canon regular of the order of St. Augustin. Translated into English and in this last edition, reviewed compared with several former editions. Together with the authors life

London: Printed for M.T. 1686.              Price $1,100

Title page of 'The Following of Christ' written by Thomas of Kempis, printed in London in 1686.

Duodecimo; 10.5 x6 cm. A12a12 B-U12X9(10-12 presumed Blank) Bound in original full gilt blue calf, a very very lovely copy. 

Cover of a vintage book titled 'The Following of Christ' by Thomas à Kempis, featuring a decorative gilt design on dark leather.

After the Bible, The Imitation of Christ is the all-time favorite book of Catholics throughout the world.  à Kempis or whoever the ‘author was’ presents a path to The Imitation of Christ based on a focus on the interior life and withdrawal from the world. The Imitation of Christ first issued in 1418, Thomas entered Mount St. Agnes in 1406. He was not ordained a priest, however, until almost a decade later. He became a prolific copyist and writer. Thomas received Holy Orders in 1413 and was made sub-prior of the monastery in 1429.

Thomas à Kempis provided specific instructions for imitating Christ. His book is perhaps the most widely read Christian devotional work after the Bible. The approach taken by Kempis is characterized by its emphasis on the interior life and withdrawal from the world, as opposed to an active imitation of Christ (including outward preaching) by other friars.  The book places a high level of emphasis on the devotion to the Eucharist as key element of spiritual life

Kempis’s 1441 autograph manuscript of The Imitation of Christ is available in the Bibliothèque Royale in Brussels (shelfmark: MS 5455-61)

Wing T953A , ESTC listing : Copies – N.America  2 copies :Harvard University University of California, Los Angeles, William Andrews Clark