the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第12章
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guard against and subdue those faults which displease thee most
frequently in others。
5。 Gather some profit to thy soul wherever thou art； and wherever thou
seest or hearest good examples； stir thyself to follow them； but where thou
seest anything which is blameworthy； take heed that thou do not the same；
or if at any time thou hast done it； strive quickly to amend thyself。 As
thine eye observeth others； so again are the eyes of others upon thee。
How sweet and pleasant is it to see zealous and godly brethren temperate
and of good discipline； and how sad it is to see them walking disorderly；
not practising the duties to which they are called。 How hurtful a thing it is
to neglect the purpose of their calling； and turn their inclinations to things
which are none of their business。
6。 Be mindful of the duties which thou hast undertaken； and set always
before thee the remembrance of the Crucified。 Truly oughtest thou to be
ashamed as thou lookest upon the life of Jesus Christ； because thou hast
not yet endeavoured to conform thyself more unto Him； though thou hast
been a long time in the way of God。 A religious man who exercises
himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our
Lord shall find there abundantly all things that are profitable and
necessary for him； neither is there need that he shall seek anything better
beyond Jesus。 Oh！ if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts； how
quickly； and completely should we have learned all that we need to know！
7。 He who is earnest receiveth and beareth well all things that are laid
upon him。 He who is careless and lukewarm hath trouble upon trouble；
and suffereth anguish upon every side； because he is without inward
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consolation； and is forbidden to seek that which is outward。 He who is
living without discipline is exposed to grievous ruin。 He who seeketh
easier and lighter discipline shall always be in distress； because one thing
or another gives him displeasure。
8。 O！ if no other duty lay upon us but to praise the Lord our God with
our whole heart and voice！ Oh！ if thou never hadst need to eat or drink；
or sleep； but wert always able to praise God； and to give thyself to spiritual
exercises alone； then shouldest thou be far happier than now； when for so
many necessities thou must serve the flesh。 O！ that these necessities
were not； but only the spiritual refreshment of the soul； which alas we
taste too seldom。
9。 When a man hath come to this； that he seeketh comfort from no
created thing； then doth he perfectly begin to enjoy God； then also will he
be well contented with whatsoever shall happen unto him。 Then will he
neither rejoice for much nor be sorrowful for little； but he committeth
himself altogether and with full trust unto God； who is all in all to him； to
whom nothing perisheth nor dieth； but all things live to Him and obey His
every word without delay。
10。 Remember always thine end； and how the time which is lost
returneth not。 Without care and diligence thou shalt never get virtue。 If
thou beginnest to grow cold； it shall begin to go ill with thee； but if thou
givest thyself unto zeal thou shalt find much peace； and shalt find thy
labour the lighter because of the grace of God and the love of virtue。 A
zealous and diligent man is ready for all things。 It is greater labour to
resist sins and passions than to toil in bodily labours。 He who shunneth
not small faults falleth little by little into greater。 At eventide thou shalt
always be glad if thou spend the day profitably。 Watch over thyself； stir
thyself up； admonish thyself； and howsoever it be with others； neglect not
thyself。 The more violence thou dost unto thyself； the more thou shall
profit。 Amen。
（1） Psalm xxxvii。 3。
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CHAPTER 25
Of the inner life
The kingdom of God is within you；（1） saith the Lord。 Turn thee with
all thine heart to the Lord and forsake this miserable world； and thou shalt
find rest unto thy soul。 Learn to despise outward things and to give
thyself to things inward； and thou shalt see the kingdom of God come
within thee。 For the kingdom of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost；
and it is not given to the wicked。 Christ will come to thee； and show thee
His consolation； if thou prepare a worthy mansion for Him within thee。
All His glory and beauty is from within； and there it pleaseth Him to dwell。
He often visiteth the inward man and holdeth with him sweet discourse；
giving him soothing consolation； much peace； friendship exceeding
wonderful。
2。 Go to； faithful soul； prepare thy heart for this bridegroom that he
may vouchsafe to come to thee and dwell within thee； for so He saith； if
any man loveth me he will keep my words： and my Father will love him；
and we will come unto him and make our abode with him。（2） Give；
therefore； place to Christ and refuse entrance to all others。 When thou
hast Christ； thou art rich； and hast sufficient。 He shall be thy provider
and faithful watchman in all things； so that thou hast no need to trust in
men； for men soon change and swiftly pass away； but Christ remaineth for
ever and standeth by us firmly even to the end。
3。 There is no great trust to be placed in a frail and mortal man； even
though he be useful and dear to us； neither should much sorrow arise
within us if sometimes he oppose and contradict us。 They who are on thy
side to…day； may to…morrow be against thee； and often are they turned
round like the wind。 Put thy whole trust in God and let Him be thy fear
and thy love； He will answer for thee Himself； and will do for thee what is
best。 Here hast thou no continuing city；（3） and wheresoever thou art；
thou art a stranger and a pilgrim； and thou shalt never have rest unless
thou art closely united to Christ within thee。
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4。 Why dost thou cast thine eyes hither and thither； since this is not the
place of thy rest？ In heaven ought thy habitation to be； and all earthly
things should be looked upon as it were in the passing by。 All things pass
away and thou equally with them。 Look that thou cleave not to them lest
thou be taken with them and perish。 Let thy contemplation be on the
Most High； and let thy supplication be directed unto Christ without
ceasing。 If thou canst not behold high and heavenly things； rest thou in
the passion of Christ and dwell willingly in His sacred wounds。 For if
thou devoutly fly to the wounds of Jesus； and the precious marks
