the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第17节
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things； let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter。 We must through
much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God。（8）
（1） Matthew xvi。 24。 （2） Matthew xxv。 41。 （3） Luke xxiv。 46。 （4）
Romans viii。 18。 （5） 2 Corinthians xii。 2。 （6） Acts ix。 16。 （7） Luke ix。
23。 （8） Acts xiv。 21。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 37
Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul
I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me。（1） Blessed is
the soul which heareth the Lord speaking within it； and receiveth the word
of consolation from His mouth。 Blessed are the ears which receive the
echoes of the soft whisper of God； and turn not aside to the whisperings of
this world。 Blessed truly are the ears which listen not to the voice that
soundeth without； but to that which teacheth truth inwardly。 Blessed are
the eyes which are closed to things without； but are fixed upon things
within。 Blessed are they who search inward things and study to prepare
themselves more and more by daily exercises for the receiving of heavenly
mysteries。 Blessed are they who long to have leisure for God； and free
themselves from every hindrance of the world。 Think on these things； O
my soul； and shut the doors of thy carnal desires； so mayest thou hear what
the Lord God will say within thee。
2。 These things saith thy Beloved； 〃I am thy salvation； I am thy peace
and thy life。 Keep thee unto Me； and thou shalt find peace。〃 Put away
thee all transitory things； seek those things that are eternal。 For what are
all temporal things but deceits； and what shall all created things help thee
if thou be forsaken by the Creator。 Therefore put all things else awaym
and give thyself to the Creator； to be well pleasing and faithful to Him；
that thou mayest be able to attain true blessedness。
（1） Psalm lxxxv。 8。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER II
What the truth saith inwardly without noise of words
Speak Lord； for thy servant heareth。（1） I am Thy servant； O give me
understanding that I may know Thy testimonies。 Incline my heart unto
the words of Thy mouth。（2） Let thy speech distil as the dew。 The
children of Israel spake in old time to Moses； Speak thou unto us and we
will hear； but let not the Lord speak unto us lest we die。（3） Not thus； O
Lord； not thus do I pray； but rather with Samuel the prophet； I beseech
Thee humbly and earnestly； Speak； Lord； for Thy servant heareth。 Let
not Moses speak to me； nor any prophet； but rather speak Thou； O Lord；
who didst inspire and illuminate all the prophets； for Thou alone without
them canst perfectly fill me with knowledge； whilst they without Thee
shall profit nothing。
2。 They can indeed utter words； but they give not the spirit。 They speak
with exceeding beauty； but when Thou art silent they kindle not the heart。
They give us scriptures； but Thou makest known the sense thereof。 They
bring us mysteries； but Thou revealest the things which are signified。
They utter commandments； but Thou helpest to the fulfilling of them。
They show the way； but Thou givest strength for the journey。 They act
only outwardly； but Thou dost instruct and enlighten the heart。 They water；
but Thou givest the increase。 They cry with words； but Thou givest
understanding to the hearer。
3。 Therefore let not Moses speak to me； but Thou； O Lord my God；
Eternal Truth； lest I die and bring forth no fruit； being outwardly
admonished； but not enkindled within； lest the word heard but not
followed； known but not loved； believed but not obeyed； rise up against
me in the judgment。 Speak； Lord； for Thy servant heareth； Thou hast the
words of eternal life。（4） Speak unto me for some consolation unto my
soul； for the amendment of my whole life； and for the praise and glory and
eternal honour of Thy Name。
（1） I Samuel iii。 9。 （2） Psalm cxix。 125。 （3） Exodus xx。 19。 （4）
John vi。 68。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 38
How all the words of God are to be heard with humility； and how
many consider them not
〃My Son； hear My words； for My words are most sweet； surpassing all
the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world。 My words
are spirit； and they are life；（1） and are not to be weighed by man's
understanding。 They are not to be drawn forth for vain approbation； but
to be heard in silence； and to be received with all humilty and with deep
love。〃
2。 And I said； 〃Blessed is the man whom Thou teachest； O Lord； and
instructest him in Thy law； that Thou mayest give him rest in time of
adversity；（2） and that he be not desolate in the earth。〃
3。 〃I；〃 saith the Lord； 〃taught the prophets from the beginning； and
even now cease I not to speak unto all； but many are deaf and hardened
against My voice； many love to listen to the world rather than to God； they
follow after the desires of the flesh more readily than after the good
pleasure of God。 The world promiseth things that are temporal and small；
and it is served with great eagerness。 I promise things that are great and
eternal； and the hearts of mortals are slow to stir。 Who serveth and
obeyeth Me in all things； with such carfulness as he serveth the world and
its rulers？
Be thou ashamed； O Sidon； saith the sea； And if thou
reason seekest； hear thou me。（3）
For a little reward men make a long journey； for eternal life many will
scarce lift a foot once from the ground。 Mean reward is sought after； for
a single piece of money sometimes there is shameful striving； for a thing
which is vain and for a trifling promise； men shrink not from toiling day
and night。〃
4。 〃But； O shame！ for an unchangeable good； for an inestimable
reward； for the highest honour and for a glory that fadeth not away； it is
irksome to them to toil even a little。 Be thou ashamed therefore； slothful
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
and discontented servant； for they are found readier unto perdition than
thou unto life。 They rejoice more heartily in vanity than thou in the truth。
Sometimes； indeed； they are disappointed of their hope； but my promise
faileth no man； nor sendeth away empty him who trusteth in Me。 What I
have promised I will give； what I have said I will fulfil； if only a man
remain faithful in My love unto the end。 Therefore am I the rewarder of all
good men； and a strong approver of all who are godly。
5。 〃Write My words in thy heart and consider them diligently； for they
shall be very needful to thee in time of temptation。 What thou
understandest not when thou readest； thou shalt know in the time of thy
visitation。 I am wont to visit Mine elect in twofold manner； even by
temptation and by comfort； and I teach them two lessons day by day； the
one in chiding their faults； the other in exhorting them to grow in grace。
He who hath my words and rejecteth them hath one who shall judge him at
the last day。〃
A PRAYER FOR THE SPIRIT OF DEVOTION
6。 O Lord my God； Thou are all my good； and who am I that I should
dare to speak unto Thee？ I am the very poorest of Thy servants； an
abject worm； much poorer and more despicable than I know or dare to say。
Nevertheless remember； O Lord； that I am nothing； I have nothing； and
can do nothing。 Thou only art good； just and holy； Thou canst do all
things； art over all things； fillest all things； leaving empty only the sinner。
Call to mind Thy tender mercies； and fill my heart with Thy grace；
