the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第30节
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judgments； when conscience pronounceth thee pious and innocent。 It is
good and blessed thus to suffer； nor will it be grievous to the heart which
is humble； and which trusteth in God more than in itself。 Many men
have many opinions； and therefore little trust is to be placed in them。 But
moreover it is impossible to please all。 Although Paul studied to please
all men in the Lord； and to become all things to all men；（1） yet
nevertheless with him it was a very small thing that he should be judged
by man's judgment。〃（2） 2。 He laboured abundantly； as much as in him
lay； for the building up and the salvation of others； but he could not avoid
being sometimes judged and despised by others。 Therefore he committed
all to God； who knew all； and by patience and humility defended himself
against evil speakers； or foolish and false thinkers； and those who accused
him according to their pleasure。 Nevertheless； from time to time he replied；
lest his silence should become a stumbling…block to those who were weak。
3。 〃Who art thou； that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die？
To…day he is； and to…morrow his place is not found。 Fear God and thou
shalt not quail before the terrors of men。 What can any man do against
thee by words or deeds？ He hurteth himself more than thee； nor shall he
escape the judgment of God； whosoever he may be。 Have thou God
before thine eyes； and do not contend with fretful words。 And if for the
present thou seem to give way； and to suffer confusion which thou hast not
deserved； be not angry at this； nor by impatience diminish thy reward； but
rather look up to Me in heaven； for I am able to deliver thee from all
confusion and hurt； and to render to every man according to his works。〃
（1） I Corinthians ix。 22。 （2） I Corinthians iv。 3。
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Of pure and entire resignation of self； for obtaining liberty of heart
〃My Son； lose thyself and thou shalt find Me。 Stand still without all
choosing and all thought of self； and thou shalt ever be a gainer。 For
more grace shall be added to thee； as soon as thou resignest thyself； and so
long as thou dost not turn back to take thyself again。〃
2。 O Lord； how often shall I resign myself； and in what things shall I
lose myself？
3。 〃Always； every hour： in that which is little； and in that which is
great。 I make no exception； but will that thou be found naked in all
things。 Otherwise how canst thou be Mine and I thine； unless thou be
inwardly and outwardly free from every will of thine own？ The sooner
thou dost this； the better shall it be with thee； and the more fully and
sincerely； the more thou shalt please Me； and the more abundantly shalt
thou be rewarded。
4。 〃Some resign themselves； but with certain reservations； for they do
not fully trust in God； therefore they think that they have some provision
to make for themselves。 Some again at first offer everything； but
afterwards being pressed by temptation they return to their own devices；
and thus make no progress in virtue。 They will not attain to the true liberty
of a pure heart； nor to the grace of My sweet companionship； unless they
first entirely resign themselves and daily offer themselves up as a sacrifice；
without this the union which bringeth forth fruit standeth not nor will
stand。
5。 〃Many a time I have said unto thee； and now say again； Give thyself
up； resign thyself； and thou shalt have great inward peace。 Give all for
all； demand nothing； ask nothing in return； stand simply and with no
hesitation in Me； and thou shalt possess Me。 Thou shalt have liberty of
heart； and the darkness shall not overwhelm thee。 For this strive thou；
pray for it； long after it； that thou mayest be delivered from all possession
of thyself； and nakedly follow Jesus who was made naked for thee； mayest
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
die unto thyself and live eternally to Me。 Then shall all vain fancies
disappear； all evil disturbings； and superfluous cares。 Then also shall
immoderate fear depart from thee； and inordinate love shall die。〃
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Of a good government in external things； and of having recourse
to God in dangers
〃My Son； for this thou must diligently make thy endeavour； that in
every place and outward action or occupation thou mayest be free within；
and have power over thyself； and that all things be under thee； not thou
under them； that thou be master and ruler of thy actions； not a slave or
hireling； but rather a free and true Hebrew； entering into the lot and the
liberty of the children of God； who stand above the present and look upon
the eternal； who with the left eye behold things transitory； and with the
right things heavenly； whom temporal things draw not to cleave unto； but
who rather draw temporal things to do them good service； even as they
were ordained of God to do； and appointed by the Master Workman； who
hath left nought in His creation without aim or end。
2。 〃And if in any chance of life thou stand not in outward appearances；
nor judgest things which are seen and heard by the fleshly sense； but
straightway in every cause enterest with Moses into the tabernacle to ask
counsel of God； thou shalt hear a divine response and come forth
instructed concerning many things that are and shall be。 For always
Moses had recourse to the tabernacle for the solving of all doubts and
questionings； and fled to the help of prayer to be delivered from the
dangers and evil deeds of men。 Thus also oughtest thou to fly to the
secret chamber of thy heart； and earnestly implore the divine succour。 For
this cause we read that Joshua and the children of Israel were deceived by
the Gibeonites； that they asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord；（1）
but being too ready to listen to fair speeches； were deceived by pretended
piety。〃
（1） Joshua ix。 14。
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That man must not be immersed in business
〃My Son； always commit thy cause to Me； I will dispose it aright in
due time。 Wait for My arrangement of it； and then thou shalt find it for
thy profit。〃
2。 O Lord； right freely I commit all things to Thee； for my planning
can profit but little。 Oh that I did not dwell so much on future events； but
could offer myself altogether to Thy pleasures without delay。
3。 〃My Son； a man often striveth vehemently after somewhat which he
desireth； but when he hath obtained it he beginneth to be of another mind；
because his affections towards it are not lasting； but rather rush on from
one thing to another。 Therefore it is not really a small thing； when in small
things we resist self。〃
4。 The true progress of man lieth in self…denial； and a man who denieth
himself is free and safe。 But the old enemy； opposer of all good things；
ceaseth not from temptation； but day and night setteth his wicked snares； if
haply he may be able to entrap the unwary。 Watch and pray； saith the
Lord； lest ye enter into temptation。（1）
（1） Matthew xxvi。 41。
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That man hath no good in himself； and nothing whereof to glory
Lord； what is man that Thou art mindful of him； or the son of man that
Thou visites
