the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第25节
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within。
6。 〃Behold； here I am！ Behold； I come to thee； for thou didst call Me。
Thy tears and the longing of thy soul； thy humbleness and contrition of
heart have inclined Me； and brought Me to thee。〃
7。 And I said Lord； I have called upon Thee； and I have longed to
enjoy Thee； being ready to reject everything for Thy sake。 For Thou
didst first move me to seek Thee。 Therefore； blessed be Thou； O Lord；
who has wrought this good work upon Thy servant； according to the
multitude of Thy mercy。 What then hath Thy servant to say in Thy
presence； save to humble himself greatly before Thee； being alway
mindful of his own inquity and vileness。 For there is none like unto Thee
in all marvels of heaven and earth。 Excellent are Thy works； true are Thy
judgments； and by Thy Providence are all things governed。 Therefore
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praise and glory unto Thee； O Wisdom of the Father； let my mouth and my
soul and all created things praise and bless Thee together。
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CHAPTER 57
Of the recollection of God's manifold benefits
Open； O Lord； my heart in Thy law； and teach me to walk in the way
of Thy commandments。 Grant me to understand Thy will and to be
mindful of Thy benefits； both general and special； with great reverence
and diligent meditation； that thus I may be able worthily to give Thee
thanks。 Yet I know and confess that I cannot render Thee due praises for
the least of Thy mercies。 I am less than the least of all the good things
which Thou gavest me； and when I consider Thy majesty； my spirit faileth
because of the greatness thereof。
2。 All things which we have in the soul and in the body； and
whatsoever things we possess； whether outwardly or inwardly； naturally or
supernaturally； are Thy good gifts； and prove Thee； from whom we have
received them all； to be good； gentle； and kind。 Although one receiveth
many things； and another fewer； yet all are Thine； and without Thee not
even the least thing can be possessed。 He who hath received greater
cannot boast that it is of his own merit； nor lift himself up above others；
not contemn those beneath him； for he is greater and the better who
ascribeth least to himself； and in giving thanks is the humbler and more
devout； and he who holdeth himself to be viler than all； and judgeth
himself to be the more unworthy； is the apter for receiving greater things。
3。 But he who hath received fewer gifts； ought not to be cast down； nor
to take it amiss； nor to envy him who is richer； but rather ought he to look
unto Thee； and to greatly extol Thy goodness； for Thou pourest forth Thy
gifts so richly； so freely and largely； without respect of persons。 All
things come of Thee； therefore in all things shalt thou be praised。 Thou
knowest what is best to be given to each； and why this man hath less； and
that more； is not for us but for Thee to understand； for unto Thee each
man's deservings are fully known。
4。 Wherefore； O Lord God； I reckon it even a great benefit； not to have
many things； whence praise and glory may appear outwardly； and after the
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thought of men。 For so it is that who considereth his own poverty and
vileness； ought not only to draw therefrom no grief or sorrow； or sadness
of spirit； but rather comfort and cheerfulness； because Thou； Lord； hast
chosen the poor and humble； and those who are poor in this world； to be
Thy friends and acquaintance。 So give all Thine apostles witness whom
Thou hast made princes in all lands。 Yet they had their conversation in
this world blameless； so humble and meek； without any malice or deceit；
that they even rejoiced to suffer rebukes for Thy Name's sake；（1） and what
things the world hateth； they embraced with great joy。
5。 Therefore ought nothing so much to rejoice him who loveth Thee
and knoweth Thy benefits； as Thy will in him； and the good pleasure of
Thine eternal Providence； wherewith he ought to be so contented and
comforted； that he would as willingly be the least as any other would be
the greatest； as peaceable and contented in the lowest as in the highest
place； and as willingly held of small and low account and of no name or
reputation as to be more honourable and greater in the world than others。
For Thy will and the love of Thine honour ought to go before all things；
and to please and comfort him more； than all benefits that are given or
may be given to himself。
（1） Act v。 41。
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CHAPTER 58
Of four things which bring great peace
〃My Son； now will I teach thee the way of peace and of true liberty。〃
2。 Do； O my Lord； as Thou sayest； for this is pleasing unto me to hear。
3。 〃Strive； My Son； to do another's will rather than thine own。 Choose
always to have less rather than more。 Seek always after the lowest place；
and to be subject to all。 Wish always and pray that the will of God be
fulfilled in thee。 Behold； such a man as this entereth into the inheritance
of peace and quietness。〃
4。 O my Lord； this Thy short discourse hath in itself much of
perfectness。 It is short in words but full of meaning； and abundant in
fruit。 For if it were possible that I should fully keep it； disturbance would
not so easily arise within me。 For as often as I feel myself disquieted and
weighed down； I find myself to have gone back from this teaching。 But
Thou； Who art Almighty； and always lovest progress in the soul；
vouchsafe more grace； that I may be enabled to fulfil Thy exhortation； and
work out my salvation。
A PRAYER AGAINST EVIL THOUGHTS
5。 O Lord my God； be not Thou far from me； my God； haste Thee to
help me；（1） for many thought and great fears have risen up against me；
afflicting my soul。 How shall I pass through them unhurt？ how shall I
break through them？
6。 〃I〃； saith He； 〃will go before thee； and make the crooked places
straight。〃（2） I will open the prison doors； and reveal to thee the secret
places。
7。 Do； Lord； as Thou sayest； and let all evil thoughts fly away before
Thy face。 This is my hope and my only comfort； to fly unto Thee in all
tribulation； to hope in Thee； to call upon Thee from my heart and patiently
wait for Thy loving kindness。
A PRAYER FOR ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE MIND
8。 Enlighten me； Blessed Jesus； with the brightness of Thy inner light；
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and cast forth all darkness from the habitation of my heart。 Restrain my
many wandering thoughts； and carry away the temptations which strive to
do me hurt。 Fight Thou mightily for me； and drive forth the evil beasts；
so call I alluring lusts； that peace may be within Thy walls and
plenteousness of praise within Thy palaces；（3） even in my pure conscience。
Command Thou the winds and the storms； say unto the sea； 〃Be still；〃 say
unto the stormy wind； 〃Hold thy peace；〃 so shall there be a great calm。
9。 Oh send forth Thy light and Thy truth；（4） that they may shine upon
the earth； for I am but earth without form and void until Thou give me
light。 Pour forth Thy grace from above； water my heart with the dew of
heaven； give the waters of devotion to water the face of the earth； and
cause it to bring forth good and perfect fruit。 Lift up my mind which is
oppressed with the weight of sins； and raise my whole desire to h
