the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第32章
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and do not subject our actions to a strict examination。 Where our
affections are set we take no heed； and we weep not that all things
belonging to us are so defiled。 For because all flesh had corrupted itself
upon the earth； the great deluge came。 Since therefore out inmost
affections are very corrupt； it followeth of necessity that our actions also
are corrupt； being the index of a deficient inward strength。 Out of a pure
heart proceedeth the fruit of good living。
5。 We demand； how much a man hath done； but from how much virtue
he acted； is not so narrowly considered。 We ask if he be strong； rich；
handsome； clever； whether he is a good writer； good singer； good
workman； but how poor he may be in spirit； how patient and gently； how
devout and meditative； on these things many are silent。 Nature looketh
upon the outward appearance of a man； grace turneth its thought to the
heart。 The former frequently judgeth amiss； the latter trusteth in God；
that it may not be deceived。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 67
Of self…denial and the casting away of all selfishness
〃My Son； thou canst not possess perfect liberty unless thou altogether
deny thyself。 All they are enslaved who are possessors of riches； they
who love themselves； the selfish； the curious； the restless； those who ever
seek after soft things； and not after the thing of Jesus Christ； those who
continually plan and devise that which will not stand。 For whatsoever
cometh not of God shall perish。 Hold fast the short and complete saying；
'Renounce all things； and thou shalt find all things； give up thy lust； and
thou shalt find rest。' Dwell upon this in thy mind； and when thou art full
of it； thou shalt understand all things。〃
2。 O Lord； this is not the work of a day； nor children's play； verily in
this short saying is enclosed all the perfection of the religious。
3。 〃My son； thou oughtest not to be turned aside； not immediately cast
down； because thou hast heard the way of the perfect。 Rather oughtest
thou to be provoked to higher aims； and at the least to long after the desire
thereof。 Oh that it were so with thee； and that thou hadst come to this；
that thou wert not a love of thine own self； but wert ready always to My
nod； and to his whom I have placed over thee as thy father。 Then
shouldest thou please Me exceedingly； and all thy life should go on in joy
and peace。 Thou hast still many things to renounce； which if thou resign
not utterly to Me； thou shalt not gain what thou seekest。 I counsel thee to
buy of Me gold tried in the fire； that thou mayest be rich；（1） that is
heavenly wisdom； which despiseth all base things。 Put away from thee
earthly wisdom； and all pleasure； whether common to men； or thine own。
4。 〃I tell thee that thou must buy vile things with those that are costly
and great in the esteem of men。 For wonderfully vile and small； and
almost given up to forgetfulness； doth true heavenly wisdom appear；
which thinketh not high things of itself； nor seeketh to be magnified upon
the earth； many honour it with their lips； but in heart are far from it； it is
indeed the precious pearl； which is hidden from many。〃
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
（1） Revelation iii。 18。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 68
Of instability of heart； and of directing the aim towards God
〃My Son； trust not thy feeling； for that which is now will be quickly
changed into somewhat else。 As long as thou livest thou art subject to
change； howsoever unwilling； so that thou art found now joyful； now sad；
now at peace； now disquieted； now devout； now indevout； now studious；
now careless； now sad； now cheerful。 But the wise man； and he who is
truly learned in spirit； standeth above these changeable things； attentive
not to what he may feel in himself； or from what quarter the wind may
blow； but that the whole intent of his mind may carry him on to the due
and much…desired end。 For thus will he be able to remain one and the
same and unshaken； the single eye of his desire being steadfastly fixed；
through the manifold changes of the world； upon Me。
2。 〃But according as the eye of intention be the more pure； even so will
a man make his way steadfastly through the manifold storms。 But in
many the eye of pure intention waxeth dim； for it quickly resteth itself
upon anything pleasant which occurreth； and rarely is any many found
altogether free from the blemish of self…seeking。 So the Jews of old came
to Bethany； to the house of Martha and Mary； that they might see not Jesus；
but Lazarus； whom he had raised from the dead。（1） Therefore must the
eye of the intention be cleansed； that it may be single and right； and above
all things which come in its way； may be directed unto Me。〃
（1） John xii。 9。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 69
That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all
things
Behold； God is mine； and all things are mine！ What will I more； and
what more happy thing can I desire？ O delightsome and sweet world！
that is； to him that loveth the Word； not the world； neither the things that
are in the world。（2） My God； my all！ To him that understandeth； that
word sufficeth； and to repeat it often is pleasing to him that loveth it。
When Thou art present all things are pleasant； when Thou art absent； all
things are wearisome。 Thou makest the heart to be at rest； givest it deep
peace and festal joy。 Thou makest it to think rightly in every matter； and
in every matter to give Thee praise； neither can anything please long
without Thee but if it would be pleasant and of sweet savour； Thy grace
must be there； and it is Thy wisdom which must give unto it a sweet
savour。
2。 To him who tasteth Thee； what can be distasteful？ And to him who
tasteth Thee not； what is there which can make him joyous？ But the
worldly wise； and they who enjoy the flesh； these fail in Thy wisdom； for
in the wisdom of the world is found utter vanity； and to be carnally minded
is death。 But they who follow after Thee through contempt of worldly
things； and mortfication of the flesh； are found to be truly wise because
they are carried from vanity to verity； from the flesh to the spirit。 They
taste that the Lord is good； and whatsoever good they find in creatures；
they count it all unto the praise of the Creator。 Unlike； yea； very unlike is
the enjoyment of the Creator to en
