the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第7章
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unto good livings than the number of the lukewarm tempteth to
carelessness of life。
5。 O how great was the love of all religious persons at the beginning of
this sacred institution！ O what devoutness of prayer！ what rivalry in
holiness！ what strict discipline was observed！ what reverence and
obedience under the rule of the master showed they in all things！ The
traces of them that remain until now testify that they were truly holy and
perfect men； who fighting so bravely trod the world underfoot。 Now a
man is counted great if only he be not a transgressor； and if he can only
endure with patience what he hath undertaken。
6。 O the coldness and negligence of our times； that we so quickly
decline from the former love； and it is become a weariness to live； because
of sloth and lukewarmness。 May progress in holiness not wholly fall
asleep in thee； who many times hast seen so many examples of devout
men！
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 18
Of the exercises of a religious man
The life of a Christian ought to be adorned with all virtues； that he may
be inwardly what he outwardly appeareth unto men。 And verily it should
be yet better within than without； for God is a discerner of our heart；
Whom we must reverence with all our hearts wheresoever we are； and
walk pure in His presence as do the angels。 We ought daily to renew our
vows； and to kindle our hearts to zeal； as if each day were the first day of
our conversion； and to say； 〃Help me； O God； in my good resolutions； and
in Thy holy service； and grant that this day I may make a good beginning；
for hitherto I have done nothing！〃
2。 According to our resolution so is the rate of our progress； and much
diligence is needful for him who would make good progress。 For if he
who resolveth bravely oftentimes falleth short； how shall it be with him
who resolveth rarely or feebly？ But manifold causes bring about
abandonment of our resolution； yet a trivial omission of holy exercises can
hardly be made without some loss to us。 The resolution of the righteous
dependeth more upon the grace of God than upon their own wisdom； for
in Him they always put their trust； whatsoever they take in hand。 For
man proposeth； but God disposeth； and the way of a man is not in
himself。（1）
3。 If a holy exercise be sometimes omitted for the sake of some act of
piety； or of some brotherly kindnesss； it can easily be taken up afterwards；
but if it be neglected through distaste or slothfulness； then is it sinful； and
the mischief will be felt。 Strive as earnestly as we may； we shall still fall
short in many things。 Always should some distinct resolution be made
by us； and； most of all； we must strive against those sins which most easily
beset us。 Both our outer and inner life should be straitly examined and
ruled by us； because both have to do with our progress。
4。 If thou canst not be always examining thyself； thou canst at certain
seasons； and at least twice in the day； at evening and at morning。 In the
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
morning make thy resolves； and in the evening inquire into thy life； how
thou hast sped to…day in word； deed； and thought； for in these ways thou
hast often perchance offended God and thy neighbour。 Gird up thy lions
like a man against the assaults of the devil； bridle thine appetite； and thou
wilt soon be able to bridle every inclination of the flesh。 Be thou never
without something to do； be reading； or writing； or praying； or meditating；
or doing something that is useful to the community。 Bodily exercises；
however； must be undertaken with discretion； nor are they to be used by
all alike。
5。 The duties which are not common to all must not be done openly；
but are safest carried on in secret。 But take heed that thou be not careless
in the common duties； and more devout in the secret； but faithfully and
honestly discharge the duties and commands which lie upon thee； then
afterwards； if thou hast still leisure； give thyself to thyself as thy devotion
leadeth thee。 All cannot have one exercise； but one suiteth better to this
man； and another to that。 Even for the diversity of season different
exercises are needed； some suit better for feasts； some for fasts。 We need
one kind in time of temptations； and others in time of peace and quietness。
Some are suitable to our times of sadness； and others when we are joyful
in the Lord。
6。 When we draw near the time of the great feasts； good exercises
should be renewed； and the prayers of holy men more fervently besought。
We ought to make our resolutions from one Feast to another； as if each
were the period of our departure from this world； and of entering into the
eternal feast。 So ought we to prepare ourselves earnestly at solemn
seasons； and the more solemnly to live； and to keep straightest watch upon
each holy observance； as though we were soon to receive the reward of
our labours at the hand of God。
7。 And if this be deferred； let us believe ourselves to be as yet ill…
prepared； and unworthy as yet of the glory which shall be revealed in us at
the appointed season； and let us study to prepare ourselves the better for
our end。 Blessed is that servant； as the Evangelist Luke hath it； whom；
when the Lord cometh He shall find watching。 Verily I say unto you He
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will make him ruler over all that He hath。（2）
（1） Jeremiah x。 23。 （2） Luke xii。 43； 44。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 19
Of the love of solitude and silence
Seek a suitable time for thy meditation； and think frequently of the
mercies of God to thee。 Leave curious questions。 Study such matters as
bring thee sorrow for sin rather than amusement。 If thou withdraw
thyself from trifling conversation and idle goings about； as well as from
novelties and gossip； thou shalt find thy time sufficient and apt for good
meditation。 The greatest saints used to avoid as far as they could the
company of men； and chose to live in secret with God。
2。 One hath said； 〃As oft as I have gone among men； so oft have I
returned less a man。〃 This is what we often experience when we have
been long time in conversation。 For it is easier to be altogether silent
than it is not to exceed in word。 It is easier to remain hidden at home
than to keep sufficient guard upon thyself out of doors。 He； therefore；
that seeketh to reach that which is hidden and spiritual； must go with Jesus
〃apart from the mul
