the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第33节
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art neither truly humble nor truly dead to the world； and that the world is
not crucified to thee。 But hearken to My word； and thou shalt not care
for ten thousand words of men。 Behold； if all things could be said
against thee which the utmost malice could invent； what should it hurt thee
if thou wert altogether to let it go； and make no more account of it than of
a mote？ Could it pluck out a single hair of thy head？
3。 〃But he that hath no heart within him； and hath not God before his
eyes； is easily moved by a word of reproach； but he who trusteth in Me；
and seeketh not to abide by his own judgment； shall be free from the fear
of men。 For I am the Judge and the Discerner of all secrets； I know how
the thing hath been done； I know both the injurer and the bearer。 From
Me went forth that word； by My permission this hath happened； that the
thoughts of many hearts may be revealed。（1） I shall judge the guilty and
the innocent； but beforehand I have willed to try them both by a secret
judgment。
4。 〃The testimony of men often deceiveth。 My judgment is true； it
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will stand； and it shall not be overturned。 It commonly lieth hid； and
only to few in certain cases is it made known； yet it never erreth； nor can
err； although it seem not right to the eyes of foolish men。 To Me；
therefore； must men have recourse in all judgment； and must not lean to
they opinion。 For there shall no evil happen to the just；（2） whatsoever
may be sent to him by God。 Even though some unjust charge be brought
against him； he will care little； nor； again； will he exult above measure； if
through others he be clearly vindicated。 For he considereth that I am He
who try the hearts and reins；（3） who judge not outwardly and according to
human appearance； for often in Mine eyes that is found blameworthy
which in the judgment of men is held worthy of praise。〃
5。 O Lord God； O Judge； just； strong； and patient； who knowest the
fraility and sinfulness of men； be Thou my strength and my whole
confidence； for my own conscience sufficeth me not。 Thou knowest
what I know not； and therefore ought I under all rebuke to humble myself；
and to bear it meekly。 Therefore mercifully forgive me as often as I have
not done this； and grant me the next time the grace of greater endurance。
For better unto me is Thine abundant pity for the attainment of Thy pardon；
than the righteousness which I believe myself to have for defence against
my conscience； which lieth wait against me。 Although I know nothing
against myself； yet I am not hereby justified；（4） because if Thy mercy
were removed away； in Thy sight should not man living be justified。（5）
（1） Luke ii。 35。 （2） Proverbs xii。 21。 （3） Psalm vii。 9。 （4）
Corinthians iv。 4。 （5） Psalm cxliii。 2。
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CHAPTER 82
That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life
〃My Son； let not the labours which thou hast undertaken for Me break
thee down； nor let tribulations cast thee down in any wise； but let my
promise strengthen and comfort thee in every event。 I am sufficient to
reward thee above all measure and extent。 Not long shalt thou labour
here； not always be weighed down with sorrows。 Wait yet a little while；
and thou shalt see a speedy end of thine evils。 An hour shall come when
all labour and confusion shall cease。 Little and short is all that passeth
away with time。
2。 〃Do earnestly what thou dost； labour faithfully in My vineyard； I
will be thy reward。 Write； read； sing； weep； be silent； pray； endure
adversities manfully； eternal life is worthy of all these conflicts； yea； and
of greater。 Peace shall come in one day which is known to the Lord；
which shall be neither day nor night；（1） but light eternal； infinite clearness；
steadfast peace； and undisturbed rest。 Thou shalt not say then； Who shall
deliver me from the body of this death？（2） nor cry out； Woe is me； for my
sojourning is prolonged；（3） because death will be utterly destroyed； and
there shall be salvation which can never fail； no more anxiety； happy
delight； sweet and noble society。
3。 〃Oh； if thou sawest the unfading crowns of the Saints in heaven； and
with what great glory they now rejoice； who aforetime were reckoned by
this world contemptibly and as it were unworthy of life； truly thou wouldst
immediately humble thyself even to the earth； and wouldst desire rather to
be in subjection to all； than to have authority over one； nor wouldst thou
long for pleasant days of this life； but wouldst more rejoice to be afflicted
for God's sake； and wouldst esteem it gain to be counted for nought
amongst men。
4。 〃Oh； if these things were sweet to thy taste； and moved thee to the
bottom of thine heart； how shouldst thou dare ever once to complain？
Are not all laborious things to be endured for the sake of eternal life？ It
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is no small thing； the losing or gaining the Kingdom of God。 Lift up
therefore thy face to heaven。 Behold； I and all My Saints with Me； who
in this world had a hard conflict； now rejoice； are now comforted； are now
secure； are now at peace； and shall remain with Me evermore； in the
Kingdom of My Father。〃
（1） Zechariah xiv。 7。 （2） Romans vii。 24。 （3） Psalm cxx。
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CHAPTER 83
Of the day of eternity and of the straitness of this life
Oh most blessed mansion of the City which is above！ Oh most clear
day of eternity which the night obscureth not； but the Supreme Truth ever
enlighteneth！ Day always joyful； always secure and never changing its
state into those which are contrary。 Oh would that this day might shine
forth； and that all these temporal things would come to an end。 It shineth
indeed upon the Saints； glowing with unending brightness； but only from
afar and through a glass； upon those who are pilgrims on the earth。
2。 The citizens of heaven know how glorious that day is； the exiled
sons of Eve groan； because this is bitter and wearisome。 The days of this
life are few and evil； full of sorrows and straits； where man is defiled with
many sins； ensnared with many passions； bound fast with many fears；
wearied with many cares； distracted with many questionings； entangled
with many vanities； compassed about with many errors； worn away with
many labours； weighed down with temptations； enervated by pleasures；
tormented by poverty。
3。 Oh when shall there be an end of these evils？ When shall I be
delivered from the wretched slavery of my sins？ When shall I be
mindful； O Lord； of Thee alone？ When shall I rejoice in Thee to the full？
When shall I be in true liberty without any impediment； without any
burden on mind or body？ When shall there be solid peace； peace
immovable and secure； peace within and without； peace firm on every side？
Blessed Jesus； when shall I stand to behold Thee？ When shall I gaze
upon the glory of Thy kingdom？ When shalt Thou be to me all in all？
Oh when shall I be with Thee in Thy Kingdom which Thou hast prepared
from the foundation of the world for them that love Thee？ I am left
destitute； an exile in a hostile land； where are daily wars and grievous
misfortunes。
4。 Console my exile； mitigate my sorrow； for towards Thee all my
desire longeth。
