the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第17章
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things； and they are always striving for this very thing。
5。 Be thankful； therefore； for the least benefit and thou shalt be worthy
to receive greater。 Let the least be unto thee even as the greatest； and let
that which is of little account be unto thee as a special gift。 If the majesty
of the Giver be considered； nothing that is given shall seem small and of
no worth； for that is not a small thing which is given by the Most High
God。 Yea； though He gave punishment and stripes； we ought to be
thankful； because He ever doth for our profit whatever He suffereth to
come upon us。 He who seeketh to retain the favour of God； let him be
thankful for the favour which is given； and patient in respect of that which
is taken away。 Let him pray that it may return； let him be wary and
humble that he lose it not。
（1） Matthew xxii。 21。 （2） Luke xiv。 10。
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CHAPTER 35
Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus
Jess hath many lovers of his heavenly kingdom； but few bearers of His
Cross。 He hath many seekers of comfort； but few of tribulation。 He
findeth many companions of His table； but few of His fasting。 All desire
to rejoice with Him； few are willing to undergo anything for His sake。
Many follow Jesus that they may eat of His loaves； but few that they may
drink of the cup of His passion。 Many are astonished at His Miracles；
few follow after the shame of His Cross。 Many love Jesus so long as no
adversities happen to them。 Many praise Him and bless Him； so long as
they receive any comforts from Him。 But if Jesus hide Himself and
withdraw from them a little while； they fall either into complaining or into
too great dejection of mind。
2。 But they who love Jesus for Jesus' sake； and not for any consolation
of their own； bless Him in all tribulation and anguish of heart as in the
highest consolation。 And if He should never give them consolation；
nevertheless they would always praise Him and always give Him thanks。
3。 Oh what power hath the pure love of Jesus； unmixed with any gain
or love of self！ Should not all they be called mercenary who are always
seeking consolations？ Do they not prove themselves lovers of self
more than of Christ who are always seeking their own gain and advantage？
Where shall be found one who is willing to serve God altogether for
nought？
4。 Rarely is any one found so spiritual as to be stripped of all selfish
thoughts； for who shall find a man truly poor in spirit and free of all
created things？ 〃His value is from afar； yea from the ends of the earth。〃
A man may give away all his goods； yet that is nothing； and if he do many
deeds of penitence； yet that is a small thing； and though he understand all
knowledge； yet that is afar off； and if he have great virtue and zealous
devotion； yet much is lacking unto him； yea； one thing which is the most
necessary to him of all。 What is it then？ That having given up all
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things besides； he give up himself and go forth from himself utterly； and
retain nothing of self…love； and having done all things which he knoweth
to be his duty to do； that he feel that he hath done nothing。 Let him not
reckon that much which might be much esteemed； but let him pronounce
himself to be in truth an unprofitable servant； as the Truth Himself saith；
When ye have done all things that are commanded you； say； we are
unprofitable servants。（1） Then may he be truly poor and naked in spirit；
and be able to say with the Prophet； As for me； I am poor and needy。（2）
Nevertheless； no man is richer than he； no man stronger； no man freer。
For he knoweth both how to give up himself and all things； and how to be
lowly in his own eyes。
（1） Luke xvii。 10。 （2） Psalm xxv。 16。
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CHAPTER 36
Of the royal way of the Holy Cross
That seemeth a hard saying to many； If any man will come after Me；
let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow Me。（1） But it will
be much harder to hear that last sentence； Depart from me； ye wicked； into
eternal fire。（2） For they who now willingly hear the word of the Cross
and follow it； shall not then fear the hearing of eternal damnation。 This
sign of the Cross shall be in heaven when the Lord cometh to Judgment。
Then all servants of the Cross； who in life have conformed themselves to
the Crucified； shall draw nigh unto Christ the Judge with great boldness。
2。 Why fearest thou then to take up the cross which leadeth to a
kingdom？ In the Cross is health； in the Cross is life； in the Cross is
protection from enemies； in the Cross is heavenly sweetness； in the Cross
strength of mind； in the Cross joy of spirit； in the Cross the height of virtue；
in the Cross perfection of holiness。 There is no health of the soul； no
hope of eternal life； save in the Cross。 Take up therefore； thy cross and
follow Jesus and thou shalt go into eternal life。 He went before thee
bearing His Cross and died for thee upon the Cross； that thou also mayest
bear thy cross and mayest love to be crucified upon it。 For if thou be
dead with Him； thou shalt also live with Him； and if thou be a partaker of
His sufferings thou shalt be also of His glory。
3。 Behold everything dependeth upon the Cross； and everything lieth
in dying； and there is none other way unto life and to true inward peace；
except the way of the Holy Cross and of daily mortification。 Go where
thou wilt； seek whatsoever thou wilt； and thou shalt find no higher way
above nor safer way below； than the way of the Holy Cross。 Dispose and
order all things according to thine own will and judgment； and thou shalt
ever find something to suffer either willingly or unwillingly； and thus thou
shalt ever find thy cross。 For thou shalt either feel pain of body； or
tribulation of spirit within thy soul。
4。 Sometimes thou wilt be forsaken of God； sometimes thou wilt be
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tried by thy neighbour； and which is more； thou wilt often by wearisome to
thyself。 And still thou canst not be delivered nor eased by any remedy or
consolation； but must bear so long as God will。 For God will have thee
learn to suffer tribulation without consolation； and to submit thyself fully
to it； and by tribulation by made more humble。 No man understandeth
the Passion of Christ in his heart so well as he who hath had somewhat of
the life suffering himself。 The Cross therefore is always ready； and every
where waiteth for thee。 Thou canst not flee from it whithersoever thou
hurriest； for withersoev
