the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第43章
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iv。 13。 （4） 2 Corinthians xii。 9。
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That we ought to deny ourselves； and to imitate Christ by means of the
Cross
My Son； so far as thou art able to go out of thyself so far shalt thou be
able to enter into Me。 As to desire no outward thing worketh internal
peace； so the forsaking of self inwardly joineth unto God。 I will that thou
learn perfect self…denial； living in My will without contradiction or
complaint。 Follow Me： I am the way； the truth； and the life。（1） Without
the way thou canst not go； without the truth thou canst not know； without
life thou canst not live。 I am the Way which thou oughtest to follow； the
Truth which thou oughest to believe； the Life which thou oughtest to hope
for。 I am the Way unchangeable； the Truth infallible； the Life everlasting。
I am the Way altogether straight； the Truth supreme； the true Life； the
blessed Life； the uncreated Life。 If thou remain in My way thou shalt
know the Truth； and the truth shall make thee free；（2） and thou shalt lay
hold on eternal life。
2。 〃If thou wilt enter into life； keep the commandments。（3） If thou
wilt know the truth； believe in Me。 If thou wilt be perfect； sell all that
thou hast。 If thou wilt be My disciple； deny thyself。 If thou wouldest
possess the blessed life； despise the life which now is。 If thou wilt be
exalted in heaven； humble thyself in the world。 If thou wilt reign with
Me； bear the cross with Me； for only the servants of the cross find the way
of blessedness and of true light。〃
3。 O Lord Jesu； forasmuch as Thy life was straitened and despised by
the world； grant unto me to imitate Thee in despising the world； for the
servant is not greater than his lord； nor the disciple above his master。（4）
Let Thy servant be exercised in Thy life； because there is my salvation and
true holiness。 Whatsoever I read or hear besides it； it refresheth me not；
nor giveth me delight。
4。 〃My son； because thou knowest these things and hast read them all；
blessed shalt thou be if thou doest them。 He who hath My
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commandments and keepeth them； he it is that loveth Me； and I will love
him； and will manifest Myself to him；（5） and I will make him to sit down
with Me in My Father's Kingdom。
5。 O Lord Jesu； as Thou hast said and promised； even so let it be unto
me； and grant me to prove worthy。 I have received the cross at Thy hand；
I have carried it； and will carry it even unto death； as Thou hast laid it
upon me。 Truly the life of a truly devoted servant is a cross； but it
leadeth to paradise。 I have begun； I may not return back nor leave it。
6。 Come； my brothers； let us together go forward。 Jesus shall be with
us。 For Jesus' sake have we taken up this cross； for Jesus' sake let us
persevere in the cross。 He will be our helper； who was our Captain and
Forerunner。 Behold our King entereth in before us； and He will fight for
us。 Let us follow bravely； let no man fear terrors； let us be prepared to
die bravely in battle； and let us not so stain our honour；（6） as to fly from
the cross。
（1） John xiv。 6。 （2） John viii。 32。 （3） Matthew xix。 17； 21。 （4）
Matthew x。 24。 （5） John xiv。 21。 （6） 1 Mac。 ix。 10。
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That a man must not be too much cast down when he falleth into some
faults
〃My Son； patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing to Me
than much comfort and devotion in prosperity。 Why doth a little thing
spoken against thee make thee sad？ If it had been more； thou still
oughtest not to be moved。 But now suffer it to go by； it is not the first； it
is not new； and it wil not be the last； if thou live long。 Thou art brave
enough； so long as no adversity meeteth thee。 Thou givest good counsel
also； and knowest how to strengthen others with thy words； but when
tribulations suddenly knocketh at thine own door； thy counsel and strength
fail。 Consider thy great frailty； which thou dost so often experience in
trifling matters nevertheless； for thy soul's health these things are done
when they and such like happen unto thee。
2。 〃Put them away from thy heart as well as thou canst； and if
tribulation hath touched thee； yet let it not cast thee down nor entangle
thee long。 At the least； bear patiently； if thou canst not joyfully。 And
although thou be very unwilling to hear it； and feel indignation； yet check
thyself； and suffer no unadvised word to come forth from thy lips；
whereby the little ones may be offended。 Soon the storm which hath
been raised shall be stilled； and inward grief shall be sweetened by
returning grace。 I yet live； saith the Lord； ready to help thee； and to give
thee more than wonted consolation if thou put thy trust in Me； and call
devoutly upon Me。
3。 〃Be thou more calm of spirit； and gird thyself for greater endurance。
All is not frustrated； though thou find thyself very often afflicted or
grievously tempted。 Thou art man； not God； thou art flesh； not an angel。
How shouldst thou be able to remain alway in the same state of virtue；
when an angel in heaven fell； and the first man in paradise？ I am He who
lifteth up the mourners to deliverance； and those who know their own
infirmity I raise up to my own nature。〃
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4。 O Lord； blessed be Thy word； sweeter to my mouth than honey and
the honeycomb。 What should I do in my so great tribulations and
anxieties； unless Thou didst comfort me with Thy holy words？ If only I
may attain unto the haven of salvation； what matter is it what things or
how many I suffer？ Give me a good end； give me a happy passage out of
this world。 Remember me； O my God； and lead me by the right way unto
Thy Kingdom。 Amen。
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Of deeper matters； and God's hidden judgments which are not to be
inquired into
〃My Son； beware thou dispute not of high matters and of the hidden
judgments of God； why this man is thus left； and that man is taken into so
great favour； why also this man is so greatly afflicted； and that so highly
exalted。 These things pass all man's power of judging； neither may any
reasoning or disputation have power to search out the divine judgments。
When therefore the enemy suggesteth these things to thee； or
