the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第3节
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while the poor and lowly of heart abide in the multitude of peace。 The
man who is not yet wholly dead to self； is soon tempted； and is overcome
in small and trifling matters。 It is hard for him who is weak in spirit； and
still in part carnal and inclined to the pleasures of sense； to withdraw
himself altogether from earthly desires。 And therefore； when he
withdraweth himself from these； he is often sad； and easily angered too if
any oppose his will。
2。 But if； on the other hand； he yield to his inclination； immediately he
is weighed down by the condemnation of his conscience； for that he hath
followed his own desire； and yet in no way attained the peace which he
hoped for。 For true peace of heart is to be found in resisting passion； not
in yielding to it。 And therefore there is no peace in the heart of a man who
is carnal； nor in him who is given up to the things that are without him； but
only in him who is fervent towards God and living the life of the Spirit。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 7
Of fleeing from vain hope and pride
Vain is the life of that man who putteth his trust in men or in any
created Thing。 Be not ashamed to be the servant of others for the love of
Jesus Christ； and to be reckoned poor in this life。 Rest not upon thyself；
but build thy hope in God。 Do what lieth in thy power； and God will help
thy good intent。 Trust not in thy learning； nor in the cleverness of any that
lives； but rather trust in the favour of God； who resisteth the proud and
giveth grace to the humble。
2。 Boast not thyself in thy riches if thou hast them； nor in thy friends if
they be powerful； but in God； who giveth all things； and in addition to all
things desireth to give even Himself。 Be not lifted up because of thy
strength or beauty of body； for with only a slight sickness it will fail and
wither away。 Be not vain of thy skilfulness or ability； lest thou displease
God； from whom cometh every good gift which we have。
3。 Count not thyself better than others； lest perchance thou appear
worse in the sight of God； who knoweth what is in man。 Be not proud of
thy good works； for God's judgments are of another sort than the
judgments of man； and what pleaseth man is ofttimes displeasing to Him。
If thou hast any good； believe that others have more； and so thou mayest
preserve thy humility。 It is no harm to thee if thou place thyself below all
others； but it is great harm if thou place thyself above even one。 Peace is
ever with the humble man； but in the heart of the proud there is envy and
continual wrath。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 7
Of the danger of too much familiarity
Open not thine heart to every man； but deal with one who is wise and
feareth God。 Be seldom with the young and with strangers。 Be not a
flatterer of the rich； nor willingly seek the society of the great。 Let thy
company be the humble and simple； the devout and the gentle； and let thy
discourse be concerning things which edify。 Be not familiar with any
woman； but commend all good women alike unto God。 Choose for thy
companions God and His Angels only； and flee from the notice of men。
2。 We must love all men； but not make close companions of all。 It
sometimes falleth out that one who is unknown to us is highly regarded
through good report of him； whose actual person is nevertheless
unpleasing to those who behold it。 We sometimes think to please others
by our intimacy； and forthwith displease them the more by the faultiness
of character which they perceive in us。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 8
Of obedience and subjection
It is verily a great thing to live in obedience； to be under authority； and
not to be at our own disposal。 Far safer is it to live in subjection than in a
place of authority。 Many are in obedience from necessity rather than
from love； these take it amiss； and repine for small cause。 Nor will they
gain freedom of spirit； unless with all their heart they submit themselves
for the love of God。 Though thou run hither and thither； thou wilt not
find peace； save in humble subjection to the authority of him who is set
over thee。 Fancies about places and change of them have deceived many。
2。 True it is that every man willingly followeth his own bent； and is the
more inclined to those who agree with him。 But if Christ is amongst us；
then it is necessary that we sometimes yield up our own opinion for the
sake of peace。 Who is so wise as to have perfect knowledge of all things？
Therefore trust not too much to thine own opinion； but be ready also to
hear the opinions of others。 Though thine own opinion be good； yet if for
the love of God thou foregoest it； and followest that of another； thou shalt
the more profit thereby。
3。 Ofttimes I have heard that it is safer to hearken and to receive
counsel than to give it。 It may also come to pass that each opinion may
be good； but to refuse to hearken to others when reason or occasion
requireth it； is a mark of pride or wilfulness。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 9
Of the danger of superfluity of words
Avoid as far as thou canst the tumult of men； for talk concerning
worldly things； though it be innocently undertaken； is a hindrance； so
quickly are we led captive and defiled by vanity。 Many a time I wish that I
had held my peace； and had not gone amongst men。 But why do we talk
and gossip so continually； seeing that we so rarely resume our silence
without some hurt done to our conscience？ We like talking so much
because we hope by our conversations to gain some mutual comfort； and
because we seek to refresh our wearied spirits by variety of thoughts。
And we very willingly talk and think of those things which we love or
desire； or else of those which we most dislike。
2。 But alas！ it is often to no purpose and in vain。 For this outward
consolation is no small hindrance to the inner comfort which cometh from
God。 Therefore must we watch and pray that time pass not idly away。
If it be right and desirable for thee to speak； speak things which are to
edification。 Evil custom and neglect of our real profit tend much to make
us heedless of watching over our lips。 Nevertheless； devout conversation
on spiritual things helpeth not a little to spiritual progress； most of all
where those of kindred mind and spirit find their ground of fellowship in
God。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 10
Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress
We may enjoy abundance of peace if we refrain from busying
ourselves with the sayings and doings of others； and things which concern
not ourselves。 How can he abide long time in peace who occupieth
himself with other men's matters； and with things without himself； and
meanwhile payeth little or rare heed to the self within？ Blessed are the
single…hearted； for they shall have abundance of peace。
2。 How came it to pass that many of the Saints were so perfect； so
contemplative of Divine things？ Because they steadfastly sought to
mortify themselves from all worldly desires； and so were enabled to cling
with their whole heart to God； and be free and at
