the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第45节
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belonging to them； that all may feel themselves assisted by Thy grace；
enriched by consolation； protected from dangers； freed from pains； and
that being delivered from all evils they may joyfully give Thee exceeding
thanks。
6。 I offer also to Thee prayers and Sacramental intercessions for those
specially who have injured me in aught； made me sad； or spoken evil
concerning me； or have caused me any loss or displeasure； for all those
also whom I have at any time made sad； disturbed； burdened； and
scandalized； by words or deeds； knowingly or ignorantly； that to all of us
alike； Thou mayest equally pardon ours sins and mutual offences。 Take
away； O Lord； from our hearts all suspicion； indignation； anger； and
contention； and whatsoever is able to injure charity and diminish brotherly
love。 Have mercy； have mercy； Lord； on those who entreat Thy mercy；
give grace to the needy； and make us such that we may be worthy to enjoy
Thy grace； and go forward to the life eternal。 Amen。
（2） 1 Chronicles xxix。 11。 （3） 1 Chronicles xxix。 17。
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CHAPTER 104
That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted
The Voice of the Beloved
Thou must frequently betake thee to the Fountain of grace and divine
mercy； to the Fountain of goodness and all purity； to the end that thou
mayest obtain the healing of thy passions and vices； and mayest be made
stronger and more watchful against all temptations and wiles of the devil。
The enemy； knowing what profit and exceeding strong remedy lieth in the
Holy Communion； striveth by all means and occasions to draw back and
hinder the faithful and devout； so far as he can。
2。 For when some set about to prepare themselves for Holy
Communion； they suffer from the more evil suggestions of Satan。 The
very evil spirit himself （as is written in Job）； cometh among the sons of
God that he may trouble them by his accustomed evil dealing； or make
them over timid and perplexed； to the intent that he may diminish their
affections； or take away their faith by his attacks； if haply he may prevail
upon them to give up Holy Communion altogether； or to come thereto
with lukewarm hearts。 But his wiles and delusions must not be heeded；
howsoever wicked and terrible they be； but all his delusion must be cast
back upon his head。 The wretch must be despised and laughed to scorn：
neither must Holy Communion be omitted because of his insults and the
inward troubles which he stirreth up。
3。 Often also too much carefulness or some anxiety or other touching
confession hindereth from obtaining devotion。 Do thou according to the
counsel of wise men； and lay aside anxiety and scruple； because it
hindereth the grace of God and destroyeth devotion of mind。 Because of
some little vexation or trouble do not thou neglect Holy Communion； but
rather hasten to confess it； and forgive freely all offences committed
against thee。 And if thou hast offended any man； humbly beg for pardon；
and God shall freely forgive thee。
4。 What profiteth it to put off for long time the confession of thy sins；
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or to defer Holy Communion？ Cleanse thyself forthwith； spit out the
poison with all speed； hasten to take the remedy； and thou shalt feel thyself
better than if thou didst long defer it。 If to…day thou defer it on one
account； to…morrow perchance some greater obstacle will come； and so
thou mayest be long time hindered from Communion and become more
unfit。 As soon as thou canst； shake thyself from thy present heaviness
and sloth； for it profiteth nothing to be long anxious； to go long on thy way
with heaviness of heart； and because of daily little obstacles to sever
thyself from divine things； nay it is exceeding hurtful to defer thy
Communion long； for this commonly bringeth on great torpor。 Alas！
there are some； lukewarm and undiscplined； who willingly find excuses
for delaying repentance； and desire to defer Holy Communion； lest they
should be bound to keep stricter watch upon themselves。
5。 Alas！ how little charity； what flagging devotion； have they who so
lightly put off Holy Communion。 How happy is he； how acceptable to
God； who so liveth； that any day he could be ready and well inclined to
communicate； if it were in his power； and might be done without the
notice of others。 If a man sometimes abstaineth for the sake of humility
or some sound cause； he is to be commended for his reverence。 But if
drowsiness have taken hold of him； he ought to rouse himself and to do
what in him lieth； and the Lord will help his desire for the good will which
he hath； which God specially approveth。
6。 But when he is hindered by sufficient cause； yet will he ever have a
good will and pious intention to communicate； and so he shall not be
lacking in the fruit of the Sacrament。 For any devout man is able every
day and every hour to draw near to spiritual communion with Christ to his
soul's health and without hindrance。 Nevertheless on certain days and at
the appointed time he ought to receive the Body and Blood of his
Redeemer with affectionate reverence； and rather to seek after the praise
and honour of God； than his own comfort。 For so often doth he
communicate mystically； and is invisibly refreshed； as he devoutly called
to mind the mystery of Christ's incarnation and His Passions； and is
inflamed with the love of Him。
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7。 He who only prepareth himself when a festival is at hand or custom
compelleth； will too often be unprepared。 Blessed is he who offereth
himself to God for a whole burnt…offering； so often as he celebrateth of
communicateth！ Be not too slow nor too hurried in thy celebrating； but
preserve the good received custom of those with whom thou livest。 Thou
oughtest not to produce weariness and annoyance in others； but to observe
the received custom； according to the institution of the elders； and to
minister to the profit of others rather than to thine own devotion or feeling。
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CHAPTER 105
The Voice of the Disciple
O most sweet Lord Jesus； how great is the blessedness of the devout
soul that feedeth with Thee in Thy banquet； where there is set before it no
other food than Thyself its only Beloved； more to be desired than all the
desires of the heart？ And to me it would verily be sweet to pour forth my
tears in Thy presence from the very bottom of my heart； and with the
pious Magdalene to water Thy feet with my tears。 But where is this
devotion？ Where the abundant flowing of holy tears？ Surely in Thy
presence and in the presence of the holy Angels my whole heart ought to
burn and to weep for joy； for I have Thee in the Sacrament verily present；
although hidden under other form。
2。 For in Thine own Divine brightness； mine eyes could not endure to
behold Thee； neither could the whole world stand before the splendour of
the glory of Thy Majesty。 In this therefore Thou hast consideration unto
my weakness； that Thou hidest Thyself under the Sacrament。 I verily
possess and adore Him whom the Angels adore in heaven； I yet for a while
by faith； but they by sight and without a veil。 It is good for me to be
content with th
