按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the manful bearing of the Cross of thy Lord； who out of love was crucified
for thee。 Prepare thyself for the bearing many adversities and manifold
troubles in this wretched life； because so it shall be with thee wheresoever
thou art； and so in very deed thou shalt find it； wherever thou hide thyself。
This it must be； and there is no means of escaping from tribulation and
sorrow； except to bear them patiently。 Drink thou lovingly thy Lord's cup
if thou desirest to be His friend and to have thy lot with Him。 Leave
consolations to God； let Him do as seemeth best to Him concerning them。
But do thou set thyself to endure tribulations； and reckon them the best
consolations； for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
71
… Page 72…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us；（4） nor would they
be even if thou wert to endure them all。
11。 When thou hast come to this； that tribulation is sweet and pleasant
to thee for Christ's sake； then reckon that it is well with thee； because thou
hast found paradise on earth。 So long as it is hard to thee to suffer and
thou desirest to escape； so long it will not be well with thee； and
tribulations will follow thee everywhere。
12。 If thou settest thyself to that thou oughtest； namely； to suffer and to
die； it shall soon go better with thee； and thou shalt find peace。 Though
thou shouldest be caught up with Paul unto the third heaven；（5） thou art
not on that account secure from suffering evil。 I will show him； saith
Jesus； what great things he must suffer for My Name's sake。（6） It
remaineth； therefore； to thee to suffer； if thou wilt love Jesus and serve
Him continually。
13。 Oh that thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Jesus；
how great glory should await thee； what rejoicing among all the saints of
God； what bright example also to thy neighbour！ For all me commend
patience； although few be willing to practise it。 Thou oughtest surely to
suffer a little for Christ when many suffer heavier things for the world。
14。 Know thou of a surety that thou oughtest to lead the life of a dying
man。 And the more a man dieth to himself； the more he beginneth to live
towards God。 None is fit for the understanding of heavenly things；
unless he hath submitted himself to bearing adversities for Christ。
Nothing more acceptable to God； nothing more healthful for thyself in this
world； than to suffer willingly for Christ。 And if it were thine to choose；
thou oughtest rather to wish to suffer adversities for Christ； than to be
refreshed with manifold consolations； for thou wouldest be more like
Christ and more conformed to all saints。 For our worthiness and growth
in grace lieth not in many delights and consolations； but rather in bearing
many troubles and adversities。
15。 If indeed there had been anything better and more profitable to the
health of men than to suffer； Christ would surely have shown it by word
and example。 For both the disciples who followed Him； and all who
72
… Page 73…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
desire to follow Him； He plainly exhorteth to bear their cross； and saith； If
any man will come after Me； let him deny himself and take up his cross；
and follow Me。（7） So now that we have throughly read and studied all
things； let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter。 We must through
much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God。（8）
（1） Matthew xvi。 24。 （2） Matthew xxv。 41。 （3） Luke xxiv。 46。 （4）
Romans viii。 18。 （5） 2 Corinthians xii。 2。 （6） Acts ix。 16。 （7） Luke ix。
23。 （8） Acts xiv。 21。
73
… Page 74…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 37
Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul
I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me。（1） Blessed is
the soul which heareth the Lord speaking within it； and receiveth the word
of consolation from His mouth。 Blessed are the ears which receive the
echoes of the soft whisper of God； and turn not aside to the whisperings of
this world。 Blessed truly are the ears which listen not to the voice that
soundeth without； but to that which teacheth truth inwardly。 Blessed are
the eyes which are closed to things without； but are fixed upon things
within。 Blessed are they who search inward things and study to prepare
themselves more and more by daily exercises for the receiving of heavenly
mysteries。 Blessed are they who long to have leisure for God； and free
themselves from every hindrance of the world。 Think on these things； O
my soul； and shut the doors of thy carnal desires； so mayest thou hear what
the Lord God will say within thee。
2。 These things saith thy Beloved； 〃I am thy salvation； I am thy peace
and thy life。 Keep thee unto Me； and thou shalt find peace。〃 Put away
thee all transitory things； seek those things that are eternal。 For what are
all temporal things but deceits； and what shall all created things help thee
if thou be forsaken by the Creator。 Therefore put all things else awaym
and give thyself to the Creator； to be well pleasing and faithful to Him；
that thou mayest be able to attain true blessedness。
（1） Psalm lxxxv。 8。
74
… Page 75…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER II
What the truth saith inwardly without noise of words
Speak Lord； for thy servant heareth。（1） I am Thy servant； O give me
understanding that I may know Thy testimonies。 Incline my heart unto
the words of Thy mouth。（2） Let thy speech distil as the dew。 The
children of Israel spake in old time to Moses； Speak thou unto us and we
will hear； but let not the Lord speak unto us lest we die。（3） Not thus； O
Lord； not thus do I pray； but rather with Samuel the prophet； I beseech
Thee humbly and earnestly； Speak； Lord； for Thy servant heareth。 Let
not Moses speak to me； nor any prophet； but rather speak