the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第10节
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there is respite from pain； and enjoyment of the solace of friends。 Be
thou anxious now and sorrowful for thy sins； that in the day of judgment
thou mayest have boldness with the blessed。 For then shall the righteous
man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him
and made no account of his labours。（1） Then shall he stand up to judge；
he who now submitteth himself in humility to the judgments of men。
Then shall the poor and humble man have great confidence； while the
proud is taken with fear on every side。
5。 Then shall it be seen that he was the wise man in this world who
learned to be a fool and despised for Christ。 Then shall all tribulation
patiently borne delight us； while the mouth of the ungodly shall be stopped。
Then shall every godly man rejoice； and every profane man shall mourn。
Then the afflicted flesh shall more rejoice than if it had been always
nourished in delights。 Then the humble garment shall put on beauty； and
the precious robe shall hide itself as vile。 Then the little poor cottage
shall be more commended than the gilded palace。 Then enduring
patience shall have more might than all the power of the world。 Then
simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than all worldly wisdom。
6。 Then a pure and good conscience shall more rejoice than learned
philosophy。 Then contempt of riches shall have more weight than all the
treasure of the children of this world。 Then shalt thou find more comfort
in having prayed devoutly than in having fared sumptuously。 Then thou
wilt rather rejoice in having kept silence than in having made long speech。
Then holy deeds shall be far stronger than many fine words。 Then a
strict life and sincere penitence shall bring deeper pleasure than all earthly
delight。 Learn now to suffer a little； that then thou mayest be enabled to
escape heavier sufferings。 Prove first here； what thou art able to endure
hereafter。 If now thou art able to bear so little； how wilt thou be able to
endure eternal torments？ If now a little suffering maketh thee so
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impatient； what shall hell…fire do then？ Behold of a surety thou art not able
to have two Paradises； to take thy fill or delight here in this world； and to
reign with Christ hereafter。
7。 If even unto this day thou hadst ever lived in honours and pleasures；
what would the whole profit thee if now death came to thee in an instant？
All therefore is vanity； save to love God and to serve Him only。 For he
who loveth God with all his heart feareth not death； nor punishment； nor
judgment； nor hell； because perfect love giveth sure access to God。 But
he who still delighteth in sin； no marvel if he is afraid of death and
judgment。 Nevertheless it is a good thing； if love as yet cannot restrain
thee from evil； that at least the fear of hell should hold thee back。 But he
who putteth aside the fear of God cannot long continue in good； but shall
quickly fall into the snares of the devil。
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CHAPTER 24
Of the zealous amendment of our whole life
Be thou watchful and diligent in God's service； and bethink thee often
why thou hast renounced the world。 Was it not that thou mightest live to
God and become a spirtual man？ Be zealous； therefore； for thy spiritual
profit； for thou shalt receive shortly the reward of thy labours； and neither
fear nor sorrow shall come any more into thy borders。 Now shalt thou
labour a little； and thou shalt find great rest； yea everlasting joy。 If thou
shalt remain faithful and zealous in labour； doubt not that God shall be
faithful and bountiful in rewarding thee。 It is thy duty to have a good
hope that thou wilt attain the victory； but thou must not fall into security
lest thou become slothful or lifted up。
2。 A certain man being in anxiety of mind； continually tossed about
between hope and fear； and being on a certain day overwhelmed with grief；
cast himself down in prayer before the altar in church； and meditated
within himself； saying； 〃Oh！ if I but knew that I should still persevere；〃
and presently heard within him a voice from God； 〃And if thou didst know
it； what wouldst thou do？ Do now what thou wouldst do then； and thou
shalt be very secure。〃 And straightway being comforted and
strengthened； he committed himself to the will of God and the perturbation
of spirit ceased； neither had he a mind any more to search curiously to
know what should befall him hereafter； but studied rather to inquire what
was the good and acceptable will of God； for the beginning and perfecting
of every good work。
3。 Hope in the Lord and be doing good； saith the Prophet； dwell in the
land and thou shalt be fed（1） with its riches。 One thing there is which
holdeth back many from progress and fervent amendment； even the dread
of difficulty； or the labour of the conflict。 Nevertheless they advance
above all others in virtue who strive manfully to conquer those things
which are most grievous and contrary to them； for there a man profiteth
most and meriteth greater grace where he most overcometh himself and
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mortifieth himself in spirit。
4。 But all men have not the same passions to conquer and to mortify；
yet he who is diligent shall attain more profit； although he have stronger
passions； than another who is more temperate of disposition； but is withal
less fervent in the pursuit of virtue。 Two things specifically avail unto
improvement in holiness； namely firmness to withdraw ourselves from the
sin to which by nature we are most inclined； and earnest zeal for that good
in that which we are most lacking。 And strive also very earnestly to
guard against and subdue those faults which displease thee most
frequently in others。
5。 Gather some profit to thy soul wherever thou art； and wherever thou
seest or hearest good examples； stir thyself to follow them； but where thou
seest anything which is blameworthy； take heed that thou do not the same；
or if at any time thou hast done it； strive quickly to amend thyself。 As
thine eye observeth others； so again are the eyes of others upon thee。
How sweet and pleasant is it to see zealous and godly brethren temperate
and of good discipline； and how sad it is to see them walking disorderly；
not practising the duties to which they are called。 How hurtful a thing it is
to neglect the purpose of their calling； and turn their inclinations to things
which are none of their business。
6。 Be mindful of the duties which thou hast undertaken； and set always
before thee the remembrance of the Crucified。 Truly oughtest thou to be
ashamed as thou lookest upon the life of Jesus Christ； because thou hast
not yet endeavoured to conform thyself more unto Him； though thou hast
been a long time in the way of God。 A religious man who exercises
himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our
Lord shall find there abundantly all things that are profitable and
necessary for him； neither is there need that he shall seek anything better
beyond Jesus。 Oh！ if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts； how
quickly； and completely should we have learned all that we need to know！
7。 He who is earnest receiveth and beareth well all things that are laid
upon him。 He who is careless and lukewarm hath trouble upon trouble；
and suffereth anguish upon every side； because he is without inward
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