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Publication Date: 20 May 2000 | Series: Classics of Western Spirituality Series
This book is an invitation to a life of love and prayer. Walter Hilton was a 14th-century English mystic in the tradition of Roland Rolle and Julian of Norwich. Union with God, in Walter Hilton's eyes, is not achieved in an instant. The transfiguration of the soul is rather the result of perseverance and effort. Hilton sees an unbroken ladder leading upwards from our common human nature to perfect life in God. The ascent of the soul up the ladder is gradual, conditioned by God's grace and the individual's determination, whatever the hardships experienced. The result is the transformation of the soul from a dark, false image into the beauty of a child of God. The book is adapted for the modern reader.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Author Peter Ackroyd (The Life of Thomas More) says that Hitlton's "Scale of Perfection" and Kempas'"Imitation of Christ" are part of the broad tradition of late medieval Christian piety. Both books played a central part of Thomas More's life. Scale of Perfection is concerend with the active Chrictian life in the world. Hilton also wrote a volume entitled "The Mixed Life."
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:4.2 out of 5 stars 5 reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsBlend of the ascetic and pastoral is top fare21 July 2000
By Elizabeth G. Melillo - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Walter Hilton's massive undertaking (the first thorough treatment of ascetic theology in the English language) is as rewarding for those today as in his own era - and a careful reading makes one realise that he was treating many of the same difficulties we would find in our own time. This is by no means light reading, but the lawyer's mind, theologian's precision, and pastoral father's homely charm are a winning combination. (How can anyone resist one who, after giving an explanation of sin so with the lawyer's accuracy that one nearly searches for the section on plea bargaining, then tenderly reassures his reader that God is most generous with forgiveness or "heaven would be much too empty?)I would recommend it (if not require it) of anyone with an interest either in ascetic theology or fourteenth century England.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsOne of the great books of Christian piety.24 April 1999
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Author Peter Ackroyd (The Life of Thomas More) says that Hitlton's "Scale of Perfection" and Kempas'"Imitation of Christ" are part of the broad tradition of late medieval Christian piety. Both books played a central part of Thomas More's life. Scale of Perfection is concerend with the active Chrictian life in the world. Hilton also wrote a volume entitled "The Mixed Life."
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 starsEconomical, but...23 July 2011
By liveto read_readtolive - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
Hilton has a LOT to say to the 21st century and is well worth reading - not bad for a book from the late 1300s. This edition is a scan of a 1908 publication of an 1870 translation - if you are adept at reading English of this era, not a problem, but English has changed in the past 140 years. Quality not bad for the first half: if you want an affordable way to see what Hilton has to say to today's reader, this may be the version for you. Second half, scan quality goes down - my copy has 6 pages illegible and others marginal - annoying if you want to seriously study and apply Hilton's work to your life; if so look for a more recent translation and pay the extra bucks to get a clean copy.