the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第14章
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Of a pure mind and simple intention
By two wings is man lifted above earthly things； even by simplicity
and purity。 Simplicity ought to be in the intention； purity in the affection。
Simplicity reacheth toward God； purity apprehendeth Him and tasteth Him。
No good action will be distasteful to thee if thou be free within from
inordinate affection。 If thou reachest after and seekest； nothing but the
will of God and the benefit of thy neighbour； thou wilt entirely enjoy
inward liberty。 If thine heart were right； then should every creature be a
mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine。 There is no creature so small
and vile but that it showeth us the goodness of God。
2。 If thou wert good and pure within； then wouldst thou look upon all
things without hurt and understand them aright。 A pure heart seeth the
very depths of heaven and hell。 Such as each one is inwardly； so judgeth
he outwardly。 If there is any joy in the world surely the man of pure
heart possesseth it； and if there is anywhere tribulation and anguish； the
evil conscience knoweth it best。 As iron cast into the fire loseth rust and
is made altogether glowing； so the man who turneth himself altogether
unto God is freed from slothfulness and changed into a new man。
3。 When a man beginneth to grow lukewarm； then he feareth a little
labour； and willingly accepteth outward consolation； but when he
beginneth perfectly to conquer himself and to walk manfully in the way of
God； then he counteth as nothing those things which aforetime seemed to
be so grievous unto him。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 29
Of self…esteem
We cannot place too little confidence in ourselves； because grace and
understanding are often lacking to us。 Little light is there within us； and
what we have we quickly lose by negligence。 Oftentimes we perceive not
how great is our inward blindness。 We often do ill and excuse it worse。
Sometimes we are moved by passion and count it zeal； we blame little
faults in others and pass over great faults in ourselves。 Quickly enough
we feel and reckon up what we bear at the hands of others； but we reflect
not how much others are bearing from us。 He who would weigh well and
rightly his own doings would not be the man to judge severely of another。
2。 The spiritually…minded man putteth care of himself before all cares；
and he who diligently attendeth to himself easily keepeth silence
concerning others。 Thou wilt never be spiritually minded and godly
unless thou are silent concerning other men's matters and take full heed to
thyself。 If thou think wholly upon thyself and upon God； what thou seest
out of doors shall move thee little。 Where art thou when thou art not
present to thyself？ and when thou hast overrun all things； what hath it
profited thee； thyself being neglected？ If thou wouldst have peace and
true unity； thou must put aside all other things； and gaze only upon thyself。
3。 Then thou shalt make great progress if thou keep thyself free from
all temporal care。 Thou shalt lamentably fall away if thou set a value
upon any worldly thing。 Let nothing be great； nothing high； nothing
pleasing； nothing acceptable unto thee； save God Himself or the things of
God。 Reckon as altogether vain whatsoever consolation comes to thee
from a creature。 The soul that loveth God looketh not to anything that is
beneath God。 God alone is eternal and incomprehensible； filling all
things； the solace of the soul； and the true joy of the heart。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 30
Of the joy of a good conscience
The testimony of a good conscience is the glory of a good man。 Have a
good conscience and thou shalt ever have joy。 A good conscience is able
to bear exceeding much； and is exceeding joyful in the midst of adversities；
an evil conscience is ever fearful and unquiet。 Thou shalt rest sweetly if
thy heart condemn thee not。 Never rejoice unless when thou hast done
well。 The wicked have never true joy； nor feel internal peace； for there is
no peace； saith my God； to the wicked。（1） And if they say 〃we are in
peace； there shall no harm happen unto us； and who shall dare to do us
hurt？〃 believe them not； for suddenly shall the wrath of God rise up
against them； and their deeds shall be brought to nought； and their
thoughts shall perish。
2。 To glory in tribulation is not grievous to him who loveth； for such
glorying is glorying in the Cross of Christ。 Brief is the glory which is
given and received of men。 Sadness always goeth hand in hand with the
glory of the world。 The glory of the good is in their conscience； and not
in the report of men。 The joy of the upright is from God and in God； and
their joy is in the truth。 He who desireth true and eternal glory careth not
for that which is temporal； and he who seeketh temporal glory； or who
despiseth it from his heart； is proved to bear little love for that which is
heavenly。 He who careth for neither praises nor reproaches hath great
tranquillity of heart。
3。 He will easily be contented and filled with peace； whose conscience
is pure。 Thou art none the holier if thou art praised； nor the viler if thou
art reproached。 Thou art what thou art； and thou canst not be better than
God pronounceth thee to be。 If thou considerest well what thou art
inwardly； thou wilt not care what men will say to thee。 Man looketh on
the outward appearance； but the Lord looketh on the heart：（2） man looketh
on the deed； but God considereth the intent。 It is the token of a humble
spirit always to do well； and to set little by oneself。 Not to look for
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
consolation from any created thing is a sign of great purity and inward
faithfulness。
4。 He that seeketh no outward witness on his behalf； showeth plainly
that he hath committed himself wholly to God。 For not he that
commendeth himself is approved； as St。 Paul saith； but whom the Lord
commendeth。（3） To walk inwardly with God； and not to be held by any
outer affections； is the state of a spiritual man。
（1） Isaiah lvii。 21。 （2） 1 Samuel xvi。 7。 （3） 2 Corinthians x。 18。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 31
Of loving Jesus above all things
Blessed is he who understandeth what it is to love Jesus； and to
despise himself for Jesus' sake。 He must give up all that he loveth for
