the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第24节
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
strive manfully； endure patiently。 Without labour thou drawest not near
to rest； nor without fighting comest thou to victory。〃
5。 Make possible to me； O Lord； by grace what seemeth impossible to
me by nature。 Thou knowest how little I am able to bear； and how
quickly I am cast down when a like adversity riseth up against me。
Whatsoever trial of tribulation may come to me； may it become unto me
pleasing and acceptable； for to suffer and be vexed for Thy sake is
exceeding healthful to the soul。
（1） Hebrews xii。 4。
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CHAPTER 55
Of confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee；（1） I will confess to Thee； Lord；
my infirmity。 It is often a small thing which casteth me down and
maketh me sad。 I resolve that I will act bravely； but when a little
temptation cometh； immediately I am in a great strait。 Wonderfully small
sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh； and whilst
I imagine myself safe for a little space； when I am not considering； I find
myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind。
2。 Behold； therefore； O Lord； my humility and my fraility； which is
altogether known to Thee。 Be merciful unto me； and draw me out of the
mire that I sink not；（2） lest I ever remain cast down。 This is what
frequently throweth me backward and confoundeth me before Thee； that I
am so liable to fall； so weak to resist my passions。 And though their
assault is not altogether according to my will； it is violent and grievous；
and it altogether wearieth me to live thus daily in conflict。 Herein is my
infirmity made known to me； that hateful fancies always rush in far more
easily than they depart。
3。 Oh that Thou； most mighty God of Israel； Lover of all faithful souls；
wouldst look upon the labour and sorrow of Thy servant； and give him
help in all things whereunto he striveth。 Strengthen me with heavenly
fortitude； lest the old man； this miserable flesh； not being yet fully
subdued to the spirit； prevail to rule over me； against which I ought to
strive so long as I remain in this most miserable life。 Of what a life is
this； where tribulations and miseries cease not； where all things are full of
snares and of enemies； for when one tribulation or temptation goeth；
another cometh； yea； while the former conflict is yet raging others come
more in number and unexpected。
4。 And how can the life of man be loved； seeing that it hath so many
bitter things； that it is subjected to so many calamaities and miseries。
How can it be even called life； when it produces so many deaths and
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
plagues？ The world is often reproached because it is deceitful and vain；
yet notwithstanding it is not easily given up； because the lusts of the flesh
have too much rule over it。 Some draw us to love； some to hate。 The
lust of the flesh； the lust of the eyes； and the pride of life； these draw to
love of the world； but the punishments and miseries which righteously
follow these things； bring forth hatred of the world and weariness。
5。 But； alas！ an evil desire conquereth a mind given to the world； and
thinketh it happiness to be under the nettles（3） because it savoureth not nor
perceiveth the sweetness of God nor the inward gracefulness of virtue。
But they who perfectly despise the world and strive to live unto God in
holy discipline； these are not ignorant of the divine sweetness promised to
all who truly deny themselves and see clearly how grievously the world
erreth； and in how many ways it is deceived。
（1） Psalm xxxii。 5。 （2） Psalm lix。 16。 （3） Job xxx。 7。
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CHAPTER 56
That we must rest in God above all goods and gifts
Above all things and in all things thou shalt rest alway in the Lord； O
my soul； for he himself is the eternal rest of the saints。 Grant me； most
sweet and loving Jesus； to rest in Thee above every creature； above all
health and beauty； above all glory and honour； above all power and dignity；
above all knowledge and skilfulness； above all riches and arts； above all
joy and exultation； above all fame and praise； above all sweetness and
consolation； above all hope and promise； above all merit and desire； above
all gifts and rewards which Thou canst give and pour forth； above all joy
and jubilation which the mind is able to receive and feel； in a word； above
Angels and Archangels and all the army of heaven； above all things visible
and invisible； and above everything which Thou； O my God； art not。
2。 For Thou； O Lord； my God； art best above all things； Thou only art
the Most High； Thou only the Almighty； Thou only the All…sufficient； and
the Fulness of all things； Thou only the All…delightsome and the All…
comforting； Thou alone the altogether lovely and altogether loving； Thou
alone the Most Exalted and Most Glorious above all things； in Whom all
things are； and were； and ever shall be； altogether and all…perfect。 And
thus it falleth short and is insufficient whatsoever Thou givest to me
without Thyself or whatsoever Thou revealest or dost promise concerning
Thyself whilst Thou art not seen or fully possessed： since verily my
heart cannot truly rest nor be entirely content； except it rest in Thee； and
go beyond all gifts and every creature。
3。 O my most beloved Spouse； Jesus Christ； most holy lover of my
soul； Ruler of this whole Creation； who shall give me the wings of true
liberty； that I may flee to Thee and find rest？ Oh when shall it be given
to me to be open to receive Thee to the full； and to see how sweet Thou art；
O Lord my God？ When shall I collect myself altogether in Thee； that
because of Thy love I may not feel myself at all； but may know Thee only
above every sense and measure； in measure not known to others。 But
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now I ofttimes groan； and bear my sad estate with sorrow； because many
evils befall me in this vale of miseries which continually disturb and fill
me with sorrow； and encloud me； continually hinder and fill me with care；
allure and entangle me； that I cannot have free access to Thee； nor enjoy
that sweet intercourse which is always near at hand to the blessed spirits。
Let my deep sighing come before Thee； and my manifold desolation on
the earth。
4。 O Jesus； Light of Eternal Glory； solace of the wandering soul；
before Thee my mouth is without speech； and my silence speaketh to Thee。
How long will my Lord delay to come unto me？ Let Him come unto me；
His poor and humble one； and make me glad。 Let Him put forth His
hand； and deliver His holy one from every snare。 Come； Oh come； for
without Thee shall be no joyful day or hour； for Thou art my joy； and
without Thee is my table empty。 I am miserable； and in a manner
imprisoned and loaded with fetters； until Thou refresh me by the light of
Thy presence； and give me liberty； and show Thy loving countenance。
5。 Let others seek some other thing instead of Thee； whatsoever it shall
please them； but for my part nothing else pleaseth or shall please； save
Thou； my God； my hope； my eternal salvation。 I will not hold my peace；
nor cease to implore； until Thy grace return； and until Thou speak to me
within。
6。 〃Behold； here I am！ Behold； I come to thee； for thou didst call Me。
Thy tears and the longin
