the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第23节
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thou longest too inordinately for the things which are now； thou shalt lose
those which are eternal and heavenly。 Let temporal things be in the use；
eternal things in the desire。 Thou canst not be satisfied with any temporal
good； for thou wast not created for the enjoyment of these。
2。 Although thou hadst all the good things which ever were created；
yet couldst not thou be happy and blessed； all thy blessedness and thy
felicity lieth in God who created all things； not such felicity as seemeth
good to the foolish lover of the world； but such as Christ's good and
faithful servants wait for； and as the spiritual and pure in heart sometimes
taste； whose conversation is in heaven。（1） All human solace is empty and
short…lived； blessed and true is that solace which is felt inwardly； springing
from the truth。 The godly man everywhere beareth about with him his
own Comforter； Jesus； and saith unto Him： 〃Be with me； Lord Jesus；
always and everywhere。 Let it be my comfort to be able to give up
cheerfully all human comfort。 And if Thy consolation fail me； let Thy will
and righteous approval be alway with me for the highest comfort。 For
Thou wilt not always be chiding； neither keepest Thou Thine anger for
ever。〃（2）
（1） Philippians iii。 20。 （2） Psalm cii。 9。
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CHAPTER 52
That all care is to be cast upon God
〃My Son； suffer me to do with thee what I will； I know what is
expedient for thee。 Thou thinkest as a man； in many things thou judgest
as human affection persuadeth thee。〃
2。 Lord； what Thou sayest is true。 Greater is Thy care for me than all
the care which I am able to take for myself。 For too insecurely doth he
stand who casteth not all his care upon Thee。 Lord； so long as my will
standeth right and firm in Thee； do with me what Thou wilt； for
whatsoever Thou shalt do with me cannot be aught but good。 Blessed be
Thou is Thou wilt leave me in darkness： blessed also be Thou if Thou wilt
leave me in light。 Blessed be Thou if Thou vouchsafe to comfort me； and
always blessed be Thou if Thou cause me to be troubled。
3。 〃My Son！ even thus thou must stand if thou desirest to walk with
Me。 Thou must be ready alike for suffering or rejoicing。 Thou must be
poor and needy as willingly as full and rich。〃
4。 Lord； I will willingly bear for Thee whatsoever Thou wilt have to
come upon me。 Without choice I will receive from Thy hand good and
evil； sweet and bitter； joy and sadness； and will give Thee thanks for all
things which shall happen to me。 Keep me from all sin； and I will not
fear death nor hell。 Only cast me not away for ever； nor blot me out of
the book of life。 Then no tribulation which shall come upon me shall do
me hurt。
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CHAPTER 53
That temporal miseries are to be borne patiently after the example of
Christ
〃My Son！ I came down from heaven for thy salvation； I took upon
Me thy miseries not of necessity； but drawn by love that thou mightest
learn patience and mightest bear temporal miseries without murmuring。
For from the hour of My birth； until My death upon the Cross； I ceased not
from bearing of sorrow； I had much lack of temporal things； I oftentimes
heard many reproaches against Myself； I gently bore contradictions and
hard words； I received ingratitude for benefits； blasphemies for My
miracles； rebukes for My doctrine。〃
2。 Lord； because Thou wast patient in Thy life； herein most of all
fulfilling the commandment of Thy Father； it is well that I； miserable
sinner； should patiently bear myself according to Thy will； and as long as
Thou wilt have it so； should bear about with me for my salvation； the
burden of this corruptible life。 For although the present life seemeth
burdensome； it is nevertheless already made very full of merit through Thy
grace； and to those who are weak it becometh easier and brighter through
Thy example and the footsteps of Thy saints； but it is also much more full
of consolation than it was of old； under the old Testament； when the gate
of heaven remained shut； and even the way to heaven seemed more
obscure when so few cared to seek after the heavenly kingdom。 But not
even those who were then just and in the way of salvation were able；
before Thy Passion and the ransom of Thy holy Death； to enter the
kingdom of heaven。
3。 Oh what great thanks am I bond to give Thee； who hast vouchsafed
to show me and all faithful people the good and right way to Thine eternal
kingdom； for Thy way is our way； and by holy patience we walk to Thee
who art our Crown。 If Thou hadst not gone before and taught us； who
would care to follow？ Oh； how far would they have gone backward if
they had not behelf Thy glorious example！ Behold we are still lukewarm；
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though we have heard of Thy many signs and discourses； what would
become of us if we had not such a light to help us follow Thee？
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CHAPTER 54
Of bearing injuries； and who shall be approved as truly patient
〃What sayest thou； My Son？ Cease to complain； consider My
suffering and that of My saints。 Thou hast not yet resisted unto blood。（1）
It is little which thou sufferest in comparison with those who have suffered
so many things； have been so strongly tempted； so grievously troubled； so
manywise proved and tried。 Thou oughtest therefore to call to mind the
more grievous sufferings of others that thou mightest bear thy lesser ones
more easily； and if they seem not to thee little； see that it is not thy
impatience which is the cause of this。 But whether they be little or
whether they be great； study to bear them all with patience。
2。 〃So far as thou settest thyself to bear patiently； so far thou dost
wisely and art deserving of the more merit； thou shalt also bear the more
easily if thy mind and habit are carefully trained hereunto。 And say not 'I
cannot bear these things from such a man； nor are things of this kind to be
borne by me； for he hath done me grievous harm and imputeth to me what
I had never thought： but from another I will suffer patiently； such things as
I see I ought to suffer。' Foolish is such a thought as this； for it
considereth not the virtue of patience； nor by whom that virtue is to be
crowned； but it rather weighteth persons and offences against self。
3。 〃He is not truly patient who will only suffer as far as seemeth right
to himself and from whom he pleaseth。 But the truly patient man
considereth not by what man he is tried； whether by one above him； or by
an equal or inferior； whether by a good and holy man； or a perverse and
unworthy； but indifferently from every creature； whatsoever or how often
soever adversity happeneth to him； he gratefully accepteth all from the
hand of God and counteth it great gain； for with God nothing which is
borne for His sake； however small； shall lose its reward。
4。 〃Be thou therefore ready for the fight if thou wilt have the victory。
Without striving thou canst not win the crown of patience； if thou wilt not
suffer thou refusest to be crowned。 But if thou desirest to be crowned；
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strive manfully； endure patiently。 Without labour thou drawest not ne
