the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第8章
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that seeketh to reach that which is hidden and spiritual； must go with Jesus
〃apart from the multitude。〃 No man safely goeth abroad who loveth not
to rest at home。 No man safely talketh but he who loveth to hold his
peace。 No man safely ruleth but he who loveth to be subject。 No man
safely commandeth but he who loveth to obey。
3。 No man safely rejoiceth but he who hath the testimony of a good
conscience within himself。 The boldness of the Saints was always full of
the fear of God。 Nor were they the less earnest and humble in
themselves； because they shone forth with great virtues and grace。 But
the boldness of wicked men springeth from pride and presumption； and at
the last turneth to their own confusion。 Never promise thyself security in
this life； howsoever good a monk or devout a solitary thou seemest。
4。 Often those who stand highest in the esteem of men； fall the more
grievously because of their over great confidence。 Wherefore it is very
profitable unto many that they should not be without inward temptation；
but should be frequently assaulted； lest they be over confident； lest they be
indeed lifted up into pride； or else lean too freely upon the consolations of
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the world。 O how good a conscience should that man keep； who never
sought a joy that passeth away； who never became entangled with the
world！ O how great peace and quiet should he possess； who would cast
off all vain care； and think only of healthful and divine things； and build
his whole hope upon God！
5。 No man is worthy of heavenly consolation but he who hath
diligently exercised himself in holy compunction。 If thou wilt feel
compunction within thy heart； enter into thy chamber and shut out the
tumults of the world； as it is written； Commune with your own heart in
your own chamber and be still。（1） In retirement thou shalt find what
often thou wilt lose abroad。 Retirement； if thou continue therein； groweth
sweet； but if thou keep not in it； begetteth weariness。 If in the beginning
of thy conversion thou dwell in it and keep it well； it shall afterwards be to
thee a dear friend； and a most pleasant solace。
6。 In silence and quiet the devout soul goeth forward and learneth the
hidden things of the Scriptures。 Therein findeth she a fountain of tears；
wherein to wash and cleanse herself each night； that she may grow the
more dear to her Maker as she dwelleth the further from all worldly
distraction。 To him who withdraweth himself from his acquaintance and
friends God with his holy angels will draw nigh。 It is better to be
unknown and take heed to oneself than to neglect oneself and work
wonders。 It is praiseworthy for a religious man to go seldom abroad； to fly
from being seen； to have no desire to see men。
7。 Why wouldest thou see what thou mayest not have？ The world
passeth away and the lust thereof。 The desires of sensuality draw thee
abroad； but when an hour is past； what does thou bring home； but a weight
upon thy conscience and distraction of heart？ A merry going forth bringeth
often a sorrowful return； and a merry evening maketh a sad morning？ So
doth all carnal joy begin pleasantly； but in the end it gnaweth away and
destroyeth。 What canst thou see abroad which thou seest not at home？
Behold the heaven and the earth and the elements； for out of these are all
things made。
8。 What canst thou see anywhere which can continue long under the
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sun？ Thou believest perchance thou shalt be satisfied； but thou wilt
never be able to attain unto this。 If thou shouldest see all things before
thee at once； what would it be but a vain vision？ Lift up thine eyes to
God on high； and pray that thy sins and negligences may be forgiven。
Leave vain things to vain men； and mind thou the things which God hath
commanded thee。 Shut thy door upon thee； and call unto thyself Jesus thy
beloved。 Remain with Him in thy chamber； for thou shalt not elsewhere
find so great peace。 If thou hadst not gone forth nor listened to vain talk；
thou hadst better kept thyself in good peace。 But because it sometimes
delighteth thee to hear new things； thou must therefore suffer trouble of
heart。
（1） Psalm iv。 4。
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CHAPTER 20
Of compunction of heart
If thou wilt make any progress keep thyself in the fear of God； and
long not to be too free； but restrain all thy senses under discipline and give
not thyself up to senseless mirth。 Give thyself to compunction of heart
and thou shalt find devotion。 Compunction openeth the way for many
good things； which dissoluteness is wont quickly to lose。 It is wonderful
that any man can ever rejoice heartily in this life who considereth and
weigheth his banishment； and the manifold dangers which beset his soul。
2。 Through lightness of heart and neglect of our shortcomings we feel
not the sorrows of our soul； but often vainly laugh when we have good
cause to weep。 There is no true liberty nor real joy； save in the fear of
God with a good conscience。 Happy is he who can cast away every
cause of distraction and bring himself to the one purpose of holy
compunction。 Happy is he who putteth away from him whatsoever may
stain or burden his conscience。 Strive manfully； custom is overcome by
custom。 If thou knowest how to let men alone； they will gladly let thee
alone to do thine own works。
3。 Busy not thyself with the affairs of others； nor entangle thyself with
the business of great men。 Keep always thine eye upon thyself first of all；
and give advice to thyself specially before all thy dearest friends。 If thou
hast not the favour of men； be not thereby cast down； but let thy concern
be that thou holdest not thyself so well and circumspectly； as becometh a
servant of God and a devout monk。 It is often better and safer for a man
not to have many comforts in this life； especially those which concern the
flesh。 But that we lack divine comforts or feel them rarely is to our own
blame； because we seek not compunction of heart； not utterly cast away
those comforts which are vain and worldly。
4。 Know thyself to be unworthy of divine consolation； and worthy
rather of much tribulation。 When a man hath perfect compunction； then
all the world is burdensome and bitter to him。 A good man will find
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sufficient cause for mourning and weeping； for whether he considereth
himself； or pondereth concerning his neighbour； he knoweth that no man
liveth
