the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第20节
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is better for thee to have less than much of what may make thee proud。
He doeth not very discreetly who giveth up himself entirely to joy；
forgetting his former helplessness and the chaste fear of the Lord； which
feareth to lose the grace offered。 Nor is he very wise； after a manly sort；
who in time of adversity； or any trouble whatsoever； beareth himself too
despairingly； and feeleth concerning Me less trustfully than he ought。
4。 〃He who in time of peace willeth to be oversecure shall be often
found in time of war overdispirited and full of fears。 If thou knewest
always how to continue humble and moderate in thyself； and to guide and
rule thine own spirit well； thou wouldest not so quickly fall into danger
and mischief。 It is good counsel that when fervour of spirit is kindled；
thou shouldest meditate how it will be with thee when the light is taken
away。 Which when it doth happen； remember that still the light may
return again； which I have taken away for a time for a warning to thee； and
also for mine own glory。 Such a trial is often more useful than if thou
hadst always things prosperous according to thine own will。
5。 〃For merits are not to be reckoned by this； that a man hath many
visions or consolations； or that he is skilled in the Scriptures； or that he is
placed in a high situation； but that he is grounded upon true humility and
filled with divine charity； that he always purely and uprightly seeketh the
honour of God； that he setteth not by himself； but unfeignedly despiseth
himself； and even rejoiceth to be despised and humbled by others more
than to be honoured。〃
（1） Jeremiah x。 23。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
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Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God
I will speak unto my Lord； who am but dust and ashes。 If I count
myself more； behold Thou standest against me； and my iniquities bear true
testimony； and I cannot gainsay it。 But if I abase myself； and bring
myself to nought； and shrink from all self…esteem； and grind myself to dust；
which I am； Thy grace will be favourable unto me； and Thy light will be
near unto my heart； and all self…esteem； how little soever it be； shall be
swallowed up in the depths of my nothingness； and shall perish for ever。
There Thou showest to me myself； what I am； what I was； and whither I
have come： so foolish was I and ignorant。（1） If I am left to myself；
behold I am nothing； I am all weakness； but if suddenly Thou look upon
me； immediately I am made strong； and filled with new joy。 And it is
great marvel that I am so suddenly lifted up； and so graciously embraced
by Thee； since I am always being carried to the deep by my own weight。
2。 This is the doing of Thy love which freely goeth before me and
succoureth me in so many necessities； which guardeth me also in great
dangers and snatcheth me； as I may truly say； from innumerable evils。
For verily； by loving myself amiss； I lost myself； and by seeking and
sincerely loving Thee alone； I found both myself and Thee； and through
love I have brought myself to yet deeper nothingness： because Thou； O
most sweet Lord； dealest with me beyond all merit； and above all which I
dare ask or think。
3。 Blessed be Thou； O my God； because though I be unworthy of all
Thy benefits； Thy bountiful and infinite goodness never ceaseth to do
good even to ingrates and to those who are turned far from Thee。 Turn
Thou us unto Thyself； that we may be grateful； humble； and godly； for
Thou art our salvation； our courage； and our strength。
（1） Psalm lxxiii。 22。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 44
That all things are to be referred to God； as the final end
〃My Son； I must be thy Supreme and final end； if thou desirest to be
truly happy。 Out of such purpose thy affection shall be purified； which
too often is sinfully bent upon itself and upon created things。 For if thou
seekest thyself in any matter； straightaway thou wilt fail within thyself and
grow barren。 Therefore refer everything to Me first of all； for it is I who
gave thee all。 So look upon each blessing as flowing from the Supreme
Good； and thus all things are to be attributed to Me as their source。
2。 〃From Me the humble and great； the poor and the rich； draw water
as from a living fountain； and those who serve Me with a free and faithful
spirit shall receive grace for grace。 But he who will glory apart from Me；
or will be delighted with any good which lieth in himself； shall not be
established in true joy； nor shall be enlarged in heart； but shall be greatly
hindered and thrown into tribulation。 Therefore thou must not ascribe
any good to thyself； nor look upon any virtue as belonging to any man； but
ascribe it all unto God； without whom man hath nothing。 I gave all； I will
receive all again； and with great strictness require I the giving of thanks。
3。 〃This is the Truth； and by it the vanity of boasting is put to flight。
And if heavenly grace and true charity shall enter into thee； there shall be
no envy； nor straitening of the heart； nor shall any self…love take
possession of thee。 For divine charity conquereth all things； and
enlargeth all the powers of the soul。 If thou art truly wise； thou wilt rejoice
in Me alone； thou wilt hope in Me alone； for there is none good but one；
that is God；（1） Who is to be praised above all things； and in all things to
receive blessing。〃
（1） Luke xviii。 19。
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That is it sweet to despise the world and to serve God
Now will I speak again； O my Lord； and hold not my peace； I will say
in the ears of my God； my Lord； and my King； who is exalted above all；
Oh how plentiful is Thy goodness which Thou hast laid up for them that
fear Thee！（1） But what art Thou to those who love Thee？ What to
those who serve Thee with their whole heart？ Truly unspeakable is the
sweetness of the contemplation of Thee； which Thou bestowest upon those
who love Thee。 In this most of all Thou hast showed me the sweetness
of Thy charity； that when I was not； Thou madest me； and when I
wandered far from Thee； Thou broughtest me back that I might serve Thee；
and commandest me to love Thee。
2。 O Fountain of perpetual love； what shall I say concerning Thee？
How shall I be unmindful of Thee； who didst vouchsafe to remember me；
even after I pined away and perished？ Thou hast had mercy beyond all
hope upon Thy servant； and hast showed Thy grace and friendship beyond
all deserving。 What reward shall I render Thee for this Thy grace？ For
it is not given unto all to renounce this world and its affairs； and to take up
a religious life。 For is it a great thing that I should serve Thee； whom
every creature ought to serve？ It ought not to seem a great thing to me to
serve Thee； but rather this appeareth to me a great and wonderful thing；
that Thou vouchsafest to receive as Thy servant one so poor and unworthy；
and to join him unto Thy chosen servants。
3。 Behold all things which I have are Thine； and with them I serve
Thee。 And yet verily it is Thou who servest me； rather than I Thee。
Behold the heaven and the earth which Thou hast created for the service of
men； they are at Thy bidding； and perform daily whatsoever Thou dost
command。 Yea； and this is little； for Thou hast even ordained the Angels
for the service of man。 But it surpasseth even all these things； that Thou
Thyself didst vouchsafe to minister unto man； and didst promise that Thou
wouldest give Thyself unto him。
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