the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第46节
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by faith； but they by sight and without a veil。 It is good for me to be
content with the light of true faith； and to walk therein until the day of
eternal brightness dawn； and the shadows of figures flee away。（1） But
when that which is perfect is come； the using of Sacraments shall cease；
because the Blessed in heavenly glory have no need of Sacramental
remedy。 For they rejoice unceasingly in the presence of God； beholding
His glory face to face； and being changed from glory to glory（2） of the
infinite God； they taste the Word of God made flesh； as He was in the
beginning and remaineth for everlasting。
3。 When I think on these wondrous things； even spiritual comfort
whatsoever it be becometh sore weariness to me； for so long as I see not
openly my Lord in His own Glory； I count for nothing all which I behold
and hear in the world。 Thou； O God； art my witness that nothing is able
to comfort me； no creature is able to give me rest； save Thou； O my God；
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whom I desire to contemplate everlastingly。 But this is not possible； so
long as I remain in this mortal state。 Therefore ought I to set myself unto
great patience； and submit myself unto Thee in every desire。 For even Thy
Saints； O Lord； who now rejoice with Thee in the kingdom of heaven；
waited for the coming of Thy glory whilst they lived here； in faith and
great glory。 What they believed； that believe I； what they hoped for； I
hope； whither they have attained to； thither through Thy grace hope I to
come。 I will walk meanwhile in faith； strengthened by the examples of
the Saints。 I will have also holy books for comfort and for a mirror of
life； and above them all Thy most holy Body and Blood shall be for me a
special remedy and refuge。
4。 For two things do I feel to be exceedingly necessary to me in this
life； without which this miserable life would be intolerable to me； being
detained in the prison of this body； I confess that I need two things； even
food and light。 Thou hast therefore given to me who am so weak； Thy
sacred Body and Blood； for the refreshing of my soul and body； and hast
set Thy Word for a lantern to my feet。（3） Without these two I could not
properly live； for the Word of God is the light of my soul； and Thy
Sacrament the bread of life。 These may also be called the two tables；
placed on this side and on that； in the treasury of Thy holy Church。 One
table is that of the Sacred Altar； bearing the holy bread； that is the precious
Body and Blood of Christ； the other is the table of the Divine Law；
containing holy doctrine； teaching the true faith； and leading steadfastly
onwards even to that which is within the veil； where the Holy of Holies is。
5。 Thanks be unto Thee； O Lord Jesus； Light of Light everlasting； for
that table of holy doctrine which Thou has furnished to us by Thy servants
the Prophets and Apostles and other teachers。 Thanks be to Thee； O
Creator and Redeemer of men； who to make known Thy love to the whole
world has prepared a great supper； in which Thou hast set forth for good
not the typical lamb； but Thine own most Holy Body and Blood； making
all Thy faithful ones joyful with this holy banquet and giving them to
drink the cup of salvation； wherein are all the delights of Paradise； and the
holy Angels do feed with us； and with yet happier sweetness。
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6。 Oh how great and honourable is the office of the priests； to whom it
is given to consecrate the Sacrament of the Lord of majesty with holy
words； to bless it with the lips； to hold it in their hands； to receive it with
their own mouth； and to administer it to others！ Oh how clean ought
those hands to be； how pure the mouth； how holy the body； how unspotted
the heart of the priest； to whom so often the Author of purity entered in！
From the mouth of the priest ought naught to proceed but what is holy；
what is honest and profitable； because he so often receiveth the Sacrament
of Christ。
7。 His eyes ought to be single and pure； seeing they are wont to look
upon the Body of Christ； the hands should be pure and lifted up towards
heaven； which are wont to hold within them the Creator of heaven and
earth。 To priests is it specially said in the Law； Be ye holy； for I the Lord
your God am holy。（4）
8。 Assist us with Thy grace； O Almighty God； that we who have taken
upon us the priestly office； may be able to converse worthily and devoutly
with Thee in all purity and good conscience。 And if we are not able to
have our conversation in such innocency of life as we ought； yet grant
unto us worthily to lament the sins which we have committed； and in the
spirit of humility and full purpose of a good will； to serve Thee more
earnestly for the future。
（1） Cant。 ii。 17。 （2） 2 Corinthians iii。 18。 （3） Psalm cxix。 105。 （4）
Leviticus xix。 2。
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CHAPTER 106
The Voice of the Beloved
I am the Lover of purity； and Giver of sanctity。 I seek a pure heart； and
there is the place of My rest。 Prepare for Me the larger upper room
furnished； and I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples。（1）
If thou wilt that I come unto thee and abide with thee； purge out the old
leaven；（2） and cleanse the habitation of thy heart。 Shut out the whole
world； and all the throng of sins； sit as a sparrow alone upon the house…
top；（3） and think upon thy transgressions with bitterness of thy soul。 For
everyone that loveth prepareth the best and fairest place for his beloved；
because hereby the affection of him that entertaineth his beloved is known。
2。 Yet know thou that thou canst not make sufficient preparation out of
the merit of any action of thine； even though thou shouldest prepare
thyself for a whole year； and hadst nothing else in thy mind。 But out of
My tenderness and grace alone art thou permitted to draw night unto My
table； as though a beggar were called to a rich man's dinner； and had no
other recompense to offer him for the benefits done unto him； but to
humble himself and to give him thanks。 Do therefore as much as lieth in
thee； and do it diligently； not of custom； nor of necessity； but with fear；
reverence； and affection； receive the Body of thy beloved Lord God； who
vouchsafeth to come unto thee。 I am He who hath called thee； I
command it to be done； I will supply what is lacking to thee； come and
receive Me。
3。 When I give the grace of devotion； give thanks unto thy God； it is
not because thou art worthy； but because I had mercy on thee。 If thou
hast not devotion； but rather feelest thyself dry； be instant in prayer； cease
not to groan and knock； cease not until thou prevail to obtain some crumb
or drop of saving grace。 Thou hast need of Me； I have no need of thee。
Nor dost thou come to sanctify Me； but I come to sanctify thee and make
thee better。 Thou comest that thou mayest be sanctified by Me； and be
united to Me； that thou mayest receive fresh grace； and be kindled anew to
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amendment of life。 See that thou neglect not this grace； but prepare thy
heart with all diligence； and receive thy Beloved unto thee。
4。 But thou oughtest not only to prepare thyself for devotion before
Communion； thou must also keep thyself with all diligence therein after
receiving the Sacrament； nor is less watchfulness needed afterwards； than
devout preparation beforehand： for good watchfulness afterwards
become
