the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第14节
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God alone； who hath none like unto Himself。 Nor wish thou that any one
set his heart on thee； nor do thou give thyself up to the love of any； but let
Jesus be in thee and in every good man。
5。 Be pure and free within thyself； and be not entangled by any created
thing。 Thou oughtest to bring a bare and clean heart to God； if thou
desirest to be ready to see how gracious the Lord is。 And in truth； unless
thou be prevented and drawn on by His grace； thou wilt not attain to this；
that having cast out and dismissed all else； thou alone art united with God。
For when the grace of God cometh to a man； then he becometh able to do
all things； and when it departeth then he will be poor and weak and given
up unto troubles。 In these thou art not to be cast down nor to despair； but
to rest with calm mind on the will of God； and to bear all things which
come upon thee unto the praise of Jesus Christ； for after winter cometh
summer； after night returneth day； after the tempest a great calm。
（2） John xi。 28。
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CHAPTER 33
Of the lack of all comfort
It is no hard thing to despise human comfort when divine is present。
It is a great thing； yea very great； to be able to bear the loss both of human
and divine comfort； and for the love of God willingly to bear exile of heart；
and in nought to seek oneself； nor to look to one's own merit。 What great
matter is it； if thou be cheerful of heart and devout when favour cometh to
thee？ That is an hour wherein all rejoice。 Pleasantly enough doth he
ride whom the grace of God carrieth。 And what marvel； if he feeleth no
burden who is carried by the Almighty； and is led onwards by the Guide
from on high？
2。 We are willing to accept anything for comfort； and it is difficult for
a man to be freed from himself。 The holy martyr Laurence overcame the
love of the world and even of his priestly master； because he despised
everything in the world which seemed to be pleasant； and for the love of
Christ he calmly suffered even God's chief priest； Sixtus； whom he dearly
loved； to be taken from him。 Thus by the love of the Creator he
overcame the love of man； and instead of human comfort he chose rather
God's good pleasure。 So also learn thou to resign any near and beloved
friend for the love of God。 Nor take it amiss when thou hast been
deserted by a friend； knowing that we must all be parted from one another
at last。
3。 Mightily and long must a man strive within himself before he learn
altogether to overcome himself； and to draw his whole affection towards
God。 When a man resteth upon himself； he easily slippeth away into
human comforts。 But a true lover of Christ； and a diligent seeker after
virtue； falleth not back upon those comforts； nor seeketh such sweetness as
may be tasted and handled； but desireth rather hard exercises； and to
undertake severe labours for Christ。
4。 When； therefore； spiritual comfort is given by God； receive it with
giving of thanks； and know that it is the gift of God； not thy desert。 Be
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not lifted up； rejoice not overmuch nor foolishly presume； but rather be
more humble for the gift； more wary and more careful in all thy doings；
for that hour will pass away； and temptation will follow。 When comfort
is taken from thee； do not straightway despair； but wait for the heavenly
visitation with humility and patience； for God is able to give thee back
greater favour and consolation。 This is not new nor strange to those who
have made trial of the way of God； for with the great saints and the ancient
prophets there was often this manner of change。
5。 Wherefore one said when the favour of God was present with him； I
said in my prosperity I shall never be moved；（1） but he goeth on to say
what he felt within himself when the favour departed： Thou didst turn Thy
face from me； and I was troubled。 In spite whereof he in no wise
despaireth； but the more instantly entreateth God； and saith； Unto Thee； O
Lord； will I cry； and will pray unto my God； and then he receiveth the fruit
of his prayer； and testifieth how he hath been heard； saying； The Lord
heard me and had mercy upon me； the Lord was my helper。 But wherein？
Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy； Thou hast put off my sackcloth
and girded me with gladness。 If it was thus with the great saints； we who
are poor and needy ought not to despair if we are sometimes in the warmth
and sometimes in the cold； for the Spirit cometh and goeth according to
the good pleasure of His will。 Wherefore holy Job saith； Thou dost visit
him in the morning； and suddenly Thou dost prove him。（2）
6。 Whereupon then can I hope； or wherein may I trust； save only in the
great mercy of God； and the hope of heavenly grace？ For whether good
men are with me； godly brethren or faithful friends； whether holy books or
beautiful discourses； whether sweet hymns and songs； all these help but
little； and have but little savour when I am deserted by God's favour and
left to mine own poverty。 There is no better remedy； then； than patience
and denial of self； and an abiding in the will of God。
7。 I have never found any man so religious and godly； but that he felt
sometimes a withdrawal of the divine favour； and lack of fervour。 No
saint was ever so filled with rapture； so enlightened； but that sooner or
later he was tempted。 For he is not worthy of the great vision of God；
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who； for God's sake； hath not been exercised by some temptation。 For
tenmptation is wont to go before as a sign of the comfort which shall
follow； and heavenly comfort is promised to those who are proved by
temptation。 As it is written； To him that overcometh I will give to at of
the tree of life。（3）
8。 Divine comfort is given that a man may be stronger to bear
adversities。 And temptation followeth； lest he be lifted up because of the
benefit。 The devil sleepeth not； thy flesh is not yet dead； therefore； cease
thou not to make thyself ready unto the battle； for enemies stand on thy
right hand and on thy left； and they are never at rest。
（1） Psalm xxx。 6。 （2） Job vii。 18。 （3） Revelation ii。 7。
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CHAPTER 34
Of gratitude for the Grace of God
Why seekest thou rest when thou art born to labour？ Prepare thyself
for patience more than for comforts； and for bearing the cross more than
for joy。 For who among the men of this world would not gladly receive
consolation and spiritual joy if he might always have it？ For spiritual
comforts exceed all the delights of the world； and all the pleasures of the
flesh。 For all worldly delights are either empty or unclean； whilst
spiritual delights alone are pleasant and honourable； the offspring of virtue；
and poured forth by God into pure minds。 But no man can always enjoy
these divine comforts at his own will； because the season of temptation
ceaseth not for long。
2。 Great is the difference between a visitation from above and false
liberty of spirit and great confidence in self。 God doeth well in giving us
the grace of comfort； but man doeth ill in not immediately giving God
thanks thereof。 And thus the gifts of grace are not able to flow unto us；
because we are ungrateful to the Author of them； and return them not
wholly to the Fountain whence they flow。 For grace ever becometh the
portion of him who is grateful and that is taken away from the proud；
which
