the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第43节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
truly believe that Thou art here present in the Sacrament； God and man。
Thou willest therefore that I receive Thee and unite myself to Thee in
charity。 Wherefore I beseech Thy mercy； and implore Thee to give me
Thy special grace； to this end； that I may be wholly dissolved and
overflow with love towards Thee； and no more suffer any other
consolation to enter into me。 For this most high and most glorious
Sacrament is the health of the soul and the body； the medicine of all
spiritual sickness； whereby I am healed of my sins； my passions are
bridled； temptations are conquered or weakened； more grace is poured into
me； virtue begun is increased； faith is made firm； hope is strengtened； and
charity is enkindled and enlarged。
3。 For in this Sacrament Thou hast bestowed many good things and
still bestowest them continually on Thine elect who communicate
devoutly； O my God； Lifter up of my soul； Repairer of human infirmity；
and Giver of all inward consolation。 For Thou pourest into them much
190
… Page 191…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
consolation against all sorts of tribulation； and out of the deep of their own
misery Thou liftest them up to the hope of Thy protection； and with ever
new grace； dost inwardly refresh and enlighten them； so that they who felt
themselves to be anxious and without affection before Communion；
afterwards being refreshed with heavenly food and drink； find themselves
changed for the better。 And even in such wise Thou dealest severally
with Thine elect； that they may truly acknowledge and clearly make proof
that they have nothing whatsoever of their own； and what goodness and
grace come to them from Thee； because being in themselves cold； hard of
heart； indevout； through Thee they become fervent； zealous； and devout。
For who is there coming humbly to the fountain of sweetness； carrieth not
away thence at the least some little of that sweetness？ Or who standing
by a large fire； feeleth not from thence a little of its heat？ And Thou art
ever a full and overflowing fountain； a fire continually burning； and never
going out。
4。 Wherefore if it is not suffered to me to draw from the fulness of the
fountain； nor to drink unto satisfying； yet will I set my lips to the mouth of
the heavenly conduit； that at least I may receive a small drop to quench my
thrist； that I dry not up within my heart。 And if I am not yet able to be
altogether heavenly and so enkindled as the Cherubim and Seraphim； yet
will I endeavour to give myself unto devotion； and to prepare my heart；
that I may gain if it be but a little flame of the divine fire； through the
humble receiving of the life…giving Sacrament。 But whatsoever is wanting
unto me； O merciful Jesus； Most Holy Saviour； do Thou of Thy kindness
and grace supply； who hast vouchsafed to call all unto Thee saying； Come
unto me； all ye that are weary and heavy laden； and I will refresh you。
5。 I indeed labour in the sweat of my face； I am tormented with sorrow
of heart； I am burdened with sins； I am disquieted with temptations； I am
entangled and oppressed with many passions； and there is none to help me；
there is none to deliver and ease me； but Thou； O Lord God； my Saviour；
to whom I commit myself and all things that are mine； that Thou mayest
preserve me and lead me unto life eternal。
Receive me unto the praise and glory of Thy name； who hast
191
… Page 192…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
prepared Thy Body and Blood to be my meat and drink。 Grant； O Lord
God my Saviour； that with coming often to Thy mysteries the zeal of my
devotion may increase。
192
… Page 193…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 99
The Voice of the Beloved
If thou hadst angelic purity and the holiness of holy John the Baptist；
thou wouldest not be worthy to receive or to minister to this Sacrament。
For this is not deserved by merit of man that a man should consecrate and
minister the Sacrament of Christ； and take for food the bread of Angels。
Vast is the mystery； and great is the dignity of the priests； to whom is
given what is not granted to Angels。 For priests only； rightly ordained in
the church； have the power of consecrating and celebrating the Body of
Christ。 The priest indeed is the minister of God； using the Word of God
by God's command and institution； nevertheless God is there the principal
Author and invisible Worker； that to whom all that He willeth is subject；
and all He commandeth is obedient。
2。 Therefore thou must believe God Almighty in this most excellent
Sacrament； more than thine own sense or any visible sign at all。 And
therefore with fear and reverence is this work to be approached。 Take
heed therefore and see what it is of which the ministry is committed to
thee by the laying on of the Bishop's hand。 Behold thou art made a priest
and consecrated to celebrate。 See now that thou do it before God
faithfully and devoutly at due time； and shew thyself without blame。
Thou hast not lightened thy burden； but art now bound with a straiter bond
of discipline； and art pledged to a higher degree of holiness。 A priest
ought to be adorned with all virtues and to afford to others an example of
good life。 His conversation must not be with the popular and common
ways of men； but with Angels in Heaven or with perfect men on earth。
3。 A priest clad in holy garments taketh Christ's place that he may pray
unto God with all supplication and humility for himself and for the whole
people。 He must always remember the Passion of Christ。 He must
diligently look upon Christ's footsteps and fervently endeavour himself to
follow them。 He must bear meekly for God whatsoever ills are brought
upon him by others。 He must mourn for his own sins； and for the sins
193
… Page 194…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
committed by others； and may not grow careless of prayer and holy
oblation； until he prevail to obtain grace and mercy。 When the priest
celebrateth； he honoureth God； giveth joy to the Angels； buildeth up the
Church； helpeth the living； hath communion with the departed； and
maketh himself a partaker of all good things。
194
… Page 195…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 100
An inquiry concerning preparation for Communion
The Voice of the Disciple
When I consider Thy dignity； O Lord； and mine own vileness； I
tremble very exceedingly； and am confounded within myself。 For if I
approach not； I fly from life； and if I intrude myself unworthily； I run into
Thy displeasure。 What then shall I do； O my God； Thou helper and
Counsellor in necessities。
2。 Teach Thou me the right way； propound unto me some short
exercise befitting Holy Communion。 For it is profitable to know how I
ought to prepare my heart devoutly and reverently for Thee； to the intent
that I may receive Thy Sacrament to my soul's health ＇or it may be also for
the celebrating this so great and divine mystery＇。
195
… Page 196…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 101
Of the examination of conscience； and purpose of amendment
The Voice of the Beloved
Above all things the priest of God must draw nigh； with all humility of
heart and supplicating reverence； with full faith and pious desire for the
honour of God； to celebrate； minister； and receive this Sacrament。
Diligently examine thy conscience a
