the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第6节
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Of the example of the Holy Fathers
Consider now the lively examples of the holy fathers； in whom shone
forth real perfectness and religion； and thou shalt see how little； even as
nothing； is all that we do。 Ah！ What is our life when compared to theirs？
They； saints and friends of Christ as they were； served the Lord in hunger
and thrist； in cold and nakedness； in labour and weariness； in watchings
and fastings； in prayer and holy meditations； in persecutions and much
rebuke。
2。 O how many and grievous tribulations did the Apostles； Martyrs；
Confessors； Virgins； endure； and all others who would walk in the
footsteps of Christ。 For they hated their souls in this world that they might
keep them unto life eternal。 O how strict and retired a life was that of the
holy fathers who dwelt in the desert！ what long and grievous temptations
they did suffer！ how often were they assaulted by the enemy！ what
frequent and fervid prayers did they offer unto God！ what strict fasts did
they endure！ what fervent zeal and desire after spiritual profit did they
manifest！ how bravely did they fight that their vices might not gain the
mastery！ how entirely and steadfastly did they reach after God！ By day
they laboured； and at night they gave themselves ofttimes unto prayer； yea；
even when they were labouring they ceased not from mental prayer。
3。 They spent their whole time profitably； every hour seemed short for
retirement with God； and through the great sweetness of contemplation；
even the need of bodily refreshment was forgotten。 They renounced all
riches； dignities； honours； friends； kinsmen； they desired nothing from the
world； they ate the bare necessities of life； they were unwilling to minister
to the body even in necessity。 Thus were they poor in earthly things； but
rich above measure in grace and virtue。 Though poor to the outer eye；
within they were filled with grace and heavenly benedictions。
4。 They were strangers to the world； but unto God they were as
kinsmen and friends。 They seemed unto themselves as of no reputation；
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and in the world's eyes contemptible； but in the sight of God they were
precious and beloved。 They stood fast in true humility； they lived in
simple obedience； they walked in love and patience； and thus they waxed
strong in spirit； and obtained great favour before God。 To all religious
men they were given as an example； and they ought more to provoke us
unto good livings than the number of the lukewarm tempteth to
carelessness of life。
5。 O how great was the love of all religious persons at the beginning of
this sacred institution！ O what devoutness of prayer！ what rivalry in
holiness！ what strict discipline was observed！ what reverence and
obedience under the rule of the master showed they in all things！ The
traces of them that remain until now testify that they were truly holy and
perfect men； who fighting so bravely trod the world underfoot。 Now a
man is counted great if only he be not a transgressor； and if he can only
endure with patience what he hath undertaken。
6。 O the coldness and negligence of our times； that we so quickly
decline from the former love； and it is become a weariness to live； because
of sloth and lukewarmness。 May progress in holiness not wholly fall
asleep in thee； who many times hast seen so many examples of devout
men！
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CHAPTER 18
Of the exercises of a religious man
The life of a Christian ought to be adorned with all virtues； that he may
be inwardly what he outwardly appeareth unto men。 And verily it should
be yet better within than without； for God is a discerner of our heart；
Whom we must reverence with all our hearts wheresoever we are； and
walk pure in His presence as do the angels。 We ought daily to renew our
vows； and to kindle our hearts to zeal； as if each day were the first day of
our conversion； and to say； 〃Help me； O God； in my good resolutions； and
in Thy holy service； and grant that this day I may make a good beginning；
for hitherto I have done nothing！〃
2。 According to our resolution so is the rate of our progress； and much
diligence is needful for him who would make good progress。 For if he
who resolveth bravely oftentimes falleth short； how shall it be with him
who resolveth rarely or feebly？ But manifold causes bring about
abandonment of our resolution； yet a trivial omission of holy exercises can
hardly be made without some loss to us。 The resolution of the righteous
dependeth more upon the grace of God than upon their own wisdom； for
in Him they always put their trust； whatsoever they take in hand。 For
man proposeth； but God disposeth； and the way of a man is not in
himself。（1）
3。 If a holy exercise be sometimes omitted for the sake of some act of
piety； or of some brotherly kindnesss； it can easily be taken up afterwards；
but if it be neglected through distaste or slothfulness； then is it sinful； and
the mischief will be felt。 Strive as earnestly as we may； we shall still fall
short in many things。 Always should some distinct resolution be made
by us； and； most of all； we must strive against those sins which most easily
beset us。 Both our outer and inner life should be straitly examined and
ruled by us； because both have to do with our progress。
4。 If thou canst not be always examining thyself； thou canst at certain
seasons； and at least twice in the day； at evening and at morning。 In the
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morning make thy resolves； and in the evening inquire into thy life； how
thou hast sped to…day in word； deed； and thought； for in these ways thou
hast often perchance offended God and thy neighbour。 Gird up thy lions
like a man against the assaults of the devil； bridle thine appetite； and thou
wilt soon be able to bridle every inclination of the flesh。 Be thou never
without something to do； be reading； or writing； or praying； or meditating；
or doing something that is useful to the community。 Bodily exercises；
however； must be undertaken with discretion； nor are they to be used by
all alike。
5。 The duties which are not common to all must not be done openly；
but are safest carried on in secret。 But take heed that thou be not careless
in the common duties； and more devout in the secret； but faithfully and
honestly discharge the duties and commands which lie upon thee； then
afterwards； if thou hast still leisure； give thyself to thyself as thy devotion
leadeth thee。 All cannot have one exercise； but one suiteth better to this
man； and another to that。 Even for the diversity of season different
exercises are needed； some suit better for feasts； some for fasts。 We need
one kind in time of temptations； and others in time of peace and quietness。
Some are suitable to our times of sadness； and others when we are joyful
in the Lord。
6。 When we draw near the time of the great feasts； good exercises
should be renewed； and the prayers of holy men more fervently besought。
We ought to make our resolutions from one Feast to another； as if each
were the period of our departure from this world； and of entering into the
eternal feast。 So ought we to prepare ourselves earnestly at solemn
seasons； and the more solemnly to live； and to keep straightest watch upon
each holy observance； as though we were soon to receive the reward of
our labours at the hand of God。
7。 And if this be deferred； let us believe ourselves to be as yet ill…
prepared； and unworthy as yet of the
