the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第48节
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have delivered himself from every inordinate love or dislike of any created
thing； he will be the most fit for receiving grace； and worthy of the gift of
devotion。 For where the Lord findeth empty vessels；（1） there giveth He
His blessing。 And the more perfectly a man forsaketh things which
cannot profit； and the more he dieth to himself； the more quickly doth
grace come； the more plentifully doth it enter in； and the higher doth it lift
up the free heart。
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4。 Then shall he see； and flow together； and wonder； and his heart shall
be enlarged within him；（2） because the hand of the Lord is with him； and
he hath put himself wholly in His hand； even for ever。 Lo； thus shall the
man be blessed； that seeketh God with all his heart； and receiveth not his
soul in vain。 This man in receiving the Holy Eucharist obtaineth the
great grace of Divine Union； because he hath not regard to his own
devotion and comfort； but； above all devotion and comfort； to the glory
and honour of God。
（1） 2 Kings iv。 （2） Isaiah lx。 5。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 110
The Voice of the Disciple
O most sweet and loving Lord； whom now I devoutly desire to receive；
Thou knowest my infirmity and the necessity which I suffer； in what evils
and vices I lie； how often I am weighed down； tempted； disturbed； and
defiled。 I come unto Thee for remedy； I beseech of Thee consolation and
support。 I speak unto Thee who knowest all things； to whom all my
secrets are open； and who alone art able perfectly to comfort and help me。
Thou knowest what good thing I most stand in need of； and how poor I am
in virtues。
2。 Behold； I stand poor and naked before Thee； requiring grace； and
imploring mercy。 Refresh the hungry suppliant； kindle my coldness with
the fire of Thy love； illuminate my blindness with the brightness of Thy
presence。 Turn thou all earthly things into bitterness for me； all grievous
and contrary things into patience； all things worthless and created into
contempt and oblivion。 Lift up my heart unto Thee in Heaven； and suffer
me not to wander over the earth。 Be Thou alone sweet unto me from this
day forward for ever； because Thou alone art my meat and drink； my love
and joy； my sweetness and my whole good。
3。 Oh that Thou wouldest altogether by Thy presence； kindle； consume；
and transform me into Thyself； that I may be made one spirit with Thee；
by the grace of inward union； and the melting of earnest love！ Suffer me
not to go away from Thee hungry and dry； but deal mercifully with me； as
oftentimes Thou hast dealt wondrously with Thy saints。 What marvel if I
should be wholly kindled from Thee； and in myself should utterly fail；
since Thou art fire always burning and never failing； love purifying the
heart and enlightening the understanding。
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CHAPTER 111
Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving Christ
The Voice of the Disciple
With the deepest devotion and fervent love； with all affection and
fervour of heart I long to receive Thee； O Lord； even as many Saints and
devout persons have desired Thee in communicating； who were altogether
well pleasing to Thee by their sanctity of life； and dwelt in all ardent
devotion。 O my God； Eternal Love； my whole Good； Happiness without
measure； I long to receive Thee with the most vehement desire and
becoming reverence which any Saint ever had or could have。
2。 And although I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion；
yet do I offer Thee the whole affection of my heart； even as though I alone
had all those most grateful inflamed desires。 Yea； also； whatsoever
things a pious mind is able to conceive and long for； all these with the
deepest veneration and inward fervour do I offer and present unto Thee。
I desire to reserve nothing unto myself； but freely and entirely to offer
myself and all that I have unto Thee for a sacrifice。 O Lord my God； my
Creator and Redeemer！ with such affection； reverence； praise； and honour；
with such gratitude； worthiness； and love； with such faith； hope； and purity
do I desire to receive Thee this day； as Thy most blessed Mother； the
glorious Virgin Mary； received and desired Thee； when she humbly and
devoutly answered the Angel who brought unto her the glad tidings of the
mystery of the Incarnation。 Behold the handmaid of the Lord； let it be
unto me according to thy word。（1）
3。 And as Thy blessed forerunner； the most excellent of Saints； John
Baptist； being full of joy in Thy presence； leapt while yet in the womb of
his mother； for joy in the Holy Ghost； and afterwards discerning Jesus
walking amongst men； humbled himself exceedingly； and said； with
devout affection； The friend of the bridegroom； who standeth and heareth
him； rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice；（2） even so I wish
to be inflamed with great and holy desires； and to present myself unto
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Thee with my whole heart。 Whence also； on behalf of myself and of all
commended to me in prayer； I offer and present unto Thee the jubilation of
all devout hearts； their ardent affection； their mental ecstasies； and
supernatural illuminations and heavenly visions； with all the virtues and
praises celebrated and to be celebrated by every creature in heaven and
earth； to the end that by all Thou mayest worthily be praised and glorified
for ever。
4。 Receive my prayers； O Lord my God； and my desires of giving
Thee infinite praise and unbounded benediction； which； according to the
multitude of Thine unspeakable greatness； are most justly due unto Thee。
These do I give Thee； and desire to give every day and every moment； and
with beseechings and affectionate desires I call upon all celestial spirits
and all Thy faithful people to join with me in rendering Thee thanks and
praises。
5。 Let all peoples； nations and tongues praise Thee； and magnify Thy
holy and sweet…sounding Name； with highest jubilations and ardent
devotion。 And let all who reverently and devoutly celebrate Thy most
high Sacrament； and receive it with full assurance of faith； be accounted
worthy to find grace and mercy with Thee； and intercede with all
supplication for me a sinner； and when they shall have attained unto their
wished…for devotion and joyous union with Thee； and shall depart full of
comfort and wondrously refreshed from Thy holy； heavenly table； let them
vouchsafe to be mindful of me； for I am poor and needy。
（1） Luke i。 38。 （2） John iii。 29。
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CHAPTER 112
The Voice of the Beloved
Thou must take heed of curious and useless searching into this most
profound Sacrament； if thou wilt not be plunged into the abyss of doubt。
He that is a searcher of Majesty shall be oppressed by the glory thereof。（1）
God is able to do more than man can understand。 A pious and humble
search after truth is to be allowed； when it is always ready to be taught；
and striving to walk after the wholesome opinions of the fathers。
2。 Blessed is the simplicity which leaveth alone the difficult paths of
questionings； and followeth the plain and firm steps of God's
commandments。 Many have lost devotion whilst they sought to search
into deeper things。 Faith
