The Valley of Lilies & The Little Garden of Roses

From Thomas A Kempis, the author of Imitation of Christ, the 2nd best selling book next to the Holy Bible, we have 2 rare Kempis works in one book. From the Prologue: This little book may be called the Valley of Lilies, to distinguish in from that which precedes it, under the title of the Little Garden of Roses: for as that treats of many virtues, which spring forth as fair roses, in the garden of Jesus, so this discourses of many other virtues, which as so many lilies of exceeding whiteness, are planted by our Lord Jesus in the valley of humility; where they are sweetly bedewed and fertilized by the inward infusion of the Holy Spirit. For according to the testimony of St. Gregory, to seek to acquire all other virtues, without humility, is to carry dust against the wind.