the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第24章
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chastised and compelled to undergo slavery； even until it be ready for all
things； and learn to be contented with little； to be delighted with things
simple； and never to murmur at any inconvenience。〃
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CHAPTER 47
Of the inward growth of patience； and of the struggle against evil
desires
O Lord God； I see that patience is very necessary unto me； for many
things in this life fall out contrary。 For howsoever I may have contrived
for my peace； my life cannot go on without strife and trouble。
2。 〃Thou speakest truly； My Son。 For I will not that thou seek such a
peace as is without trials； and knoweth no adversities； but rather that thou
shouldest judge thyself to have found peace； when thou art tried with
manifold tribulations； and proved by many adversities。 If thou shalt say
that thou art not able to bear much； how then wilt thou sustain the fire
hereafter？ Of two evils we should always choose the less。 Therefore；
that thou mayest escape eternal torments hereafter； strive on God's behalf
to endure present evils bravely。 Thinkest thou that the children of this
world suffer nought； or but little？ Thou wilt not find it so； even though
thou find out the most prosperous。
3。 〃'But；' thou wilt say； 'they have many delights； and they follow their
own wills； and thus they bear lightly their tribulations。'
4。 〃Be it so； grant that they have what they list； but how long； thinkest
thou will it last？ Behold； like the smoke those who are rich in this world
will pass away； and no record shall remain of their past joys。 Yea； even
while they yet live； they rest not without bitterness and weariness and fear。
For from the very same thing wherein they find delight； thence they
oftentimes have the punishment of sorrow。 Justly it befalleth them； that
because out of measure they seek out and pursue pleasures； they enjoy
them not without confusing and bitterness。 Oh how short； how false；
how inordinate and wicked are all these pleasures！ Yet because of their
sottishness and blindness men do not understand； but like brute beasts； for
the sake of a little pleasure of this corruptible life； they incur death of the
soul。 Thou therefore； my son； go not after thy lusts； but refrain thyself
from thine appetites。（1） Delight thou in the Lord； and He shall give thee
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
thy heart's desire。（2）
5。 〃For if thou wilt truly find delight； and be abundantly comforted of
Me； behold in the contempt of all worldly things and in the avoidance of
all worthless pleasures shall be thy blessing； and fulness of consolation
shall be given thee。 And the more thou withdrawest thyself from all
solace of creatures； the more sweet and powerful consolations shalt thou
find。 But at the first thou shalt not attain to them； without some sorrow
and hard striving。 Long…accustomed habit will oppose； but it shall be
overcome by better habit。 The flesh will murmur again and again； but
will be restrained by fervour of spirit。 The old serpent will urge and
embitter thee； but will be put to flight by prayer； moreover； by useful
labour his entrance will be greatly obstructed。〃
（1） Ecclesiastes xviii。 30。 （2） Psalm xxxvii。 4。
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CHAPTER 48
Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus
Christ
〃My Son； he who striveth to withdraw himself from obedience；
withdraweth himself also from grace； and he who seeketh private
advantages； loseth those which are common unto all。 If a man submit not
freely and willingly to one set over him； it is a sign that his flesh is not yet
perfectly subject to himself； but often resisteth and murmureth。 Learn
therefore quickly to submit thyself to him who is over thee； if thou seekest
to bring thine own flesh into subjection。 For the outward enemy is very
quickly overcome if the inner man have not been laid low。 There is no
more grievous and deadly enemy to the soul than thou art to thyself； if
thou art not led by the Spirit。 Thou must not altogether conceive
contempt for thyself； if thou wilt prevail against flesh and blood。
Because as yet thou inordinately lovest thyself； therefore thou shrinkest
from yielding thyself to the will of others。
2。 〃But what great thing is it that thou； who art dust and nothingness；
yieldest thyself to man for God's sake； when I； the Almighty and the Most
High； who created all things out of nothing； subjected Myself to man for
thy sake？ I became the most humble and despised of men； that by My
humility thou mightest overcome thy pride。 Learn to obey； O dust！
Learn to humble thyself； O earth and clay； and to bow thyself beneath the
feet of all。 Learn to crush thy passions and to yield thyself in all
subjection。
3。 〃Be zealous against thyself； nor suffer pride to live within thee； but
so show thyself subject and of no reputation； that all may be able to walk
over thee； and tread thee down as the clay in the streets。 What hast thou；
O foolish man； of which to complain？ What； O vile sinner； canst thou
answer to those who speak against thee； seeing thou hast so often offended
God； and many a time hast deserved hell？ But Mine eye hath spared thee；
because thy soul was precious in My sight； that thou mightest know My
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love； and mightest be thankful for My benefits； and that thou mightest
give thyself altogether to true subjection and humility； and patiently bear
the contempt which thou meritest。〃
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CHAPTER 49
Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of God； that we may not be
lifted up because of our well…doing
Thou sendest forth Thy judgments against me； O Lord； and shakest all
my bones with fear and trembling； and my soul trembleth exceedingly。 I
stand astonished； and remember that the heavens are not clean in thy
sight。（1） If Thou chargest Thine angels with folly； and didst spare them
not； how shall it be unto me？ Stars have fallen from heaven； and what
shall I dare who am but dust？ They whose works seemed to be
praiseworthy； fell into the lowest depths； and they who did eat Angels'
food； them have I seen delighted with the husks that the swine do eat。
2。 There is therefore no holiness； if Thou O Lord； withdraw Thine
hand。 No wisdom profiteth； if Thou leave off to guide the helm
