The Cloud of Unknowing

Introduction 16 Glossary 43 Prayer 44 Prologue 45 Table of the Chapters Chapter 1 48 Of four degrees of Christian men's living, and of the course of his calling that this book was made unto Chapter 2 50 A short stirring to meekness, and to the work of this book Chapter 3 52 How the work of this book shall be wrought and of the worthiness of it before all other works Chapter 4 54 Of the shortness of this work, and how it may not be come to by the curiosity of wit, nor by imagination Chapter 5 63 That in the time of this work all the creatures that ever have been, be now, or ever shall be, and all the works of those same creatures, should be hid under the cloud of forgetting Chapter 6 66 A short conceit of the work of this book, treated by question Chapter 7 68 How a man shall have him in this work against all thoughts, and specially against all those that arise of his own curiosity, of cunning, and of natural wit Chapter 8 72 That in the time of his work all the creatures that ever have been, be now, or ever shall be, and all the works of those creatures, should be hid under the cloud of forgetting Chapter 9 78 That in the time of this work the rememberance of the holiest creature that ever God made letteth more than it profiteth Chapter 10 82 How a man shall know when his thought is no sin; and if it be sin, when it is deadly and when it is venial. Chapter 11 86 That a man should weigh each thought and each stirring after that it is, and always eschew recklessness in venial sin. Chapter 12 87 That by Virtue of this word sin is not only destroyed, but also virtues begotten. Chapter 13 90 What meekness is in itself, and when it is perfect and when it is imperfect. Chapter 14 92 That without imperfect meekness coming before, it is impossible for a sinner to come to the perfect Virtue of meekness in this life Chapter 15 95 A short proof against their error that say, that there is no perfecter cause to be meeked under, than is the knowledge of a man's own wretchedness Chapter 16 97 That by virtue of this work a sinner truly turned and called to contemplation cometh sooner to perfection than by any other work; and by it soonest may get of God forgiveness of sins Chapter 17 101 That a very contemplative list not meddle him with active life, nor of anything that is done or spoken about him, nor yet to answer to his blamers in excusing of himself Chapter 18 104 How that yet unto this day all actives complain of contemplatives as Martha did of Mary. Of the which complaining ignorance is the cause Chapter 19 106 A short excusation of him that made this book, teaching how all contemplatives should have all actives fully excused of their complaining words and deeds Chapter 20 108 How Almighty God will goodly answer for all those that for the excusing of themselves list not leave their business about the love of Him Chapter 21 111 The true exposition of this gospel word, 'Mary hath chosen the best part' Chapter 22 114 Of the wonderful love that Christ had to man in person of all sinners truly turned and called to the grace of contemplation Chapter 23 116 How God will answer and purvey for them in spirit, that for business about His love list not answer nor purvey for themselves Chapter 24 119 What charity is in itself, and how it is truly and perfectly contained in the work of this book Chapter 25 121 That in the time of this work a perfect soul hath no special beholding to any one man in this life Chapter 26 124 That without full special grace, or long use in common grace, the work of this book is right travailous; and in this work, which is the work of the soul helped by grace, and which is the work of only God Chapter 27 127 Who should work in the gracious work of this book 75 Chapters in all