the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第42节
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me to Thy feast。 Thou willest to give me the heavenly food and bread of
angels to eat； none other； in truth； than Thyself； The living bread； which
didst descend from heaven； and givest life to the world。（1）
4。 Behold； whence this love proceedeth！ what manner of condescenion
shineth forth herein。 What great giving of thanks and praise is due unto
Thee for these benefits！ Oh how salutary and profitable Thy purpose
when Thou didst ordain this！ How sweet and pleasant the feast when
Thou didst give Thyself for food！ Oh how admirable is thy working； O
Lord； how mighty Thy power； how unspeakable Thy truth！ For Thou
didst speak the word； and all things were made； and this is done which
Thou hast commanded。
5。 A thing wonderful； and worthy of faith； and surpassing all the
understanding of man； that Thou； O Lord my God； very God and very man；
givest Thyself altogether to us in a little bread and wine； and art so our
inexhaustible food。 Thou； O Lord of all； who hast need of nothing； hast
willed to dwell in us through Thy Sacrament。 Preserve my heart and my
body undefiled； that with a joyful and pure conscience I may be able very
often to ＇celebrate； and＇（2） receive to my perpetual health。 Thy
mysteries； which Thou hast consecrated and instituted both for Thine own
honour； and for a perpetual memorial。
6。 Rejoice； O my soul； and give thanks unto God for so great a gift and
precious consolation； left unto thee in this vale of tears。 For so oft as
thou callest this mystery to mind and receivest the body of Christ； so often
dost thou celebrate the work of thy redemption； and art made partaker of
all the merits of Christ。 For the charity of Christ never groweth less； and
the greatness of His propitiation is never exhausted。 Therefore； by
continual renewal of thy spirit； thou oughtest to dispose thyself hereunto
and to weigh the great mystery of salvation with attentive consideration。
So great； new； and joyful ought it to appear to thee when thou comest to
communion； as if on this self…same day Christ for the first time were
descending into the Virgin's womb and becoming man； or hanging on the
cross； suffering and dying for the salvation of mankind。
（1） John vi。 51。 （2） The words in brackets are only suitable for a priest。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 97
That it is profitable to Communicate often
The Voice of the Disciple
Behold I come unto Thee； O Lord； that I may be blessed through Thy
gift； and be made joyful in Thy holy feast which Thou； O God； of Thy
goodness hast prepared for the poor。（1） Behold in Thee is all that I can
and ought to desire； Thou art my salvation and redemption； my hope and
strength； my honour and glory。 Therefore rejoice the soul of Thy servant
this day； for unto Thee； O Lord Jesus； do I lift up my soul。（2） I long now
to receive Thee devoutly and reverently； I desire to bring Thee into my
house； so that with Zacchaeus I may be counted worthy to be blessed by
Thee and numbered among the children of Abraham。 My soul hath an
earnest desire for Thy Body； my heart longeth to be united with Thee。
2。 Give me Thyself and it sufficeth； for besides Thee no consolation
availeth。 Without Thee I cannot be； and without Thy visitation I have no
power to live。 And therefore I must needs draw nigh unto Thee often；
and receive Thee for the healing of my soul； lest haply I faint by the way if
I be deprived of heavenly food。 For so Thou； most merciful Jesus；
preaching to the people and healing many sick； didst say； I will not send
them away fasting to their own homes； lest they faint by the way。（3）
Deal therefore now to me in like manner； for Thou left Thyself for the
consolation of the faithful in the Sacrament。 For Thou art the sweet
refreshment of the soul； and he who shall eat Thee worthily shall be
partaker and inheritor of the eternal glory。 Necessary indeed it is for me；
who so often slide backwards and sin； so quickly wax cold and faint； to
renew； cleanse； enkindle myself by frequent prayers and penitences and
receiving of Thy sacred Body and Blood lest haply by too long abstinence；
I fall short of my holy resolutions。
3。 For the imaginations of man's heart are evil from his youth；（4） and
except divine medicine succour him； man slideth away continually unto
the worse。 The Holy Communion therefore draweth us back from evil；
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and strengtheneth us for good。 For if I now be so negligent and
lukewarm when I communicate ＇or celebrate＇； how should it be with me； if
I receive not this medicine； and sought not so great a help？ ＇And though
I am not every day fit nor well prepared to celebrate； I will nevertheless
give diligent heed at due season； to receive the divine mysteries； and to
become partaker of so great grace＇。 For this is the one principal
consolation of the faithful soul； so long as it is absent from Thee in mortal
body； that being continually mindful of its God； it receiveth its Beloved
with devout spirit。
4。 Oh wonderful condescension of Thy pity surrounding us； that Thou；
O Lord God； Creator and Quickener of all spirits； deignest to come unto a
soul so poor and weak； and to appease its hunger with Thy whole Diety
and Humanity。 Oh happy mind and blessed soul； to which is granted
devoutly to receive Thee its Lord God； and in so receiving Thee to be
filled with all spiritul joy！ Oh how great a Lord doth it entertain； how
beloved a Guest doth it bring in； how delightful a Companion doth it
receive； how faithful a Friend doth it welcome； how beautiful and exalted
a Spouse； above every other Beloved； doth it embrace； One to be loved
above all things that can be desired！ O my most sweet Beloved； let
heaven and earth and all the glory of them； be silent in Thy presence；
seeing whatsoever praise and beauty they have it is of Thy gracious
bounty； and they shall never reach unto the loveliness of Thy Name；
Whose Wisdom is infinite。（5）
（1） Psalm lxviii。 10。 （2） Psalm lxxxvi。 4。 （3） Matthew xv。 32。 （4）
Genesis viii。 21。 （5） Psalm cxlvii。 5。
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CHAPTER 98
The Voice of the Disciple
O Lord my God； prevent Thou Thy servant with the blessings of Thy
sweetness； that I may be enabled to draw near worthily and devoutly to
Thy glorious Sacrament。 Awaken my heart towards Thee； and deliver me
from heavy slumber。 Visit me with Thy salvation that I may in spirit
taste Thy sweetness； which plentifully lieth hid in this Sacrament as in a
fountain。 Lighten also mine eyes to behold this so great mystery； and
strengthen me that I may believe it with undoubting faith。 For it is Thy
word； not human power； it is Thy holy institution； not the invention of
man。 For no man is found fit in himself to receive and to understand
these things； which transcend even the wisdom of the Angels。 What
portion then shall I； unworthy sinner； who am but dust and ashes； be able
to search into and comprehend of so deep a Sacrament？
2。 O Lord； in the simplicity of my heart； in good and firm faith； and
according to Thy will； I draw nigh unto Thee with hope and reverence； and
truly believe that Thou art here present in the Sac
