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！
another cometh； yea； while the former conflict is yet raging others come
more in number and unexpected。
4。 And how can the life of man be loved； seeing that it hath so many
bitter things； that it is subjected to so many calamaities and miseries。
How can it be even called life； when it produces so many deaths and
106
… Page 107…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
plagues？ The world is often reproached because it is deceitful and vain；
yet notwithstanding it is not easily given up； because the lusts of the flesh
have too much rule over it。 Some draw us to love； some to hate。 The
lust of the flesh； the lust of the eyes； and the pride of life； these draw to
love of the world； but the punishments and miseries which righteously
follow these things； bring forth hatred of the world and weariness。
5。 But； alas！ an evil desire conquereth a mind given to the world； and
thinketh it happiness to be under the nettles（3） because it savoureth not nor
perceiveth the sweetness of God nor the inward gracefulness of virtue。
But they who perfectly despise the world and strive to live unto God in
holy discipline； these are not ignorant of the divine sweetness promised to
all who truly deny themselves and see clearly how grievously the world
erreth； and in how many ways it is deceived。
（1） Psalm xxxii。 5。 （2） Psalm lix。 16。 （3） Job xxx。 7。
107
… Page 108…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 56
That we must rest in God above all goods and gifts
Above all things and in all things thou shalt rest alway in the Lord； O
my soul； for he himself is the eternal rest of the saints。 Grant me； most
sweet and loving Jesus； to rest in Thee above every creature； above all
health and beauty； above all glory and honour； above all power and dignity；
above all knowledge and skilfulness； above all riches and arts； above all
joy and exultation； above all fame and praise； above all sweetness and
consolation； above all hope and promise； above all merit and desire； above
all gifts and rewards which Thou canst give and pour forth； above all joy
and jubilation which the mind is able to receive and feel； in a word； above
Angels and Archangels and all the army of heaven； above all things visible
and invisible； and above everything which Thou； O my God； art not。
2。 For Thou； O Lord； my God； art best above all things； Thou only art
the Most High； Thou only the Almighty； Thou only the All…sufficient； and
the Fulness of all things； Thou only the All…delightsome and the All…
comforting； Thou alone the altogether lovely and altogether loving； Thou
alone the Most Exalted and Most Glorious above all things； in Whom all
things are； and were； and ever shall be； altogether and all…perfect。 And
thus it falleth short and is insufficient whatsoever Thou givest to me
without Thyself or whatsoever Thou revealest or dost promise concerning
Thyself whilst Thou art not seen or fully possessed： since verily my
heart cannot truly rest nor be entirely content； except it rest in Thee； and
go beyond all gifts and every creature。
3。 O my most beloved Spouse； Jesus Christ； most holy lover of my
soul； Ruler of this whole Creation； who shall give me the wings of true
liberty； that I may flee to Thee and find rest？ Oh when shall it be given
to me to be open to receive Thee to the full； and to see how sweet Thou art；
O Lord my God？ When shall I collect myself altogether in Thee； that
because of Thy love I may not feel myself at all； but may know Thee only
above every sense and measure； in measure not known to others。 But
108
… Page 109…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
now I ofttimes groan； and bear my sad estate with sorrow； because many
evils befall me in this vale of miseries which continually disturb and fill
me with sorrow； and encloud me； continually hinder and fill me with care；
allure and entangle me； that I cannot have free access to Thee； nor enjoy
that sweet intercourse which is always near at hand to the blessed spirits。
Let my deep sighing come before Thee； and my manifold desolation on
the earth。
4。 O Jesus； Light of Eternal Glory； solace of the wandering soul；
before Thee my mouth is without speech； and my silence speaketh to Thee。
How long will my Lord delay to come unto me？ Let Him come unto me；
His poor and humble one； and make me glad。 Let Him put forth His
hand； and deliver His holy one from every snare。 Come； Oh come； for
without Thee shall be no joyful day or hour； for Thou art my joy； and
without Thee is my table empty。 I am miserable； and in a manner
imprisoned and loaded with fetters； until Thou refresh me by the light of
Thy presence； and give me liberty； and show Thy loving countenance。
5。 Let others seek some other thing instead of Thee； whatsoever it shall
please them； but for my part nothing else pleaseth or shall please； save
Thou； my God； my hope； my eternal salvation。 I will not hold my peace；
nor cease to implore； until Thy grace return； and until Thou speak to me
within。
6。 〃Behold； here I am！ Behold； I come to thee； for thou didst call Me。
Thy tears and the longing of thy soul； thy humbleness and contrition of
heart have inclined Me； and brought Me to thee。〃
7。 And I said Lord； I have called upon Thee； and I have longed to
enjoy Thee； being ready to reject everything for Thy sake。 For Thou
didst first move me to seek Thee。 Therefore； blessed be Thou； O Lord；
who has wrought this good work upon Thy servant； according to the
multitude of Thy mercy。 What then hath Thy servant to say in Thy
presence； save to humble himself greatly before Thee； being alway
mindful of his own inquity and vileness。 For there is none like unto Thee
in all marvels of heaven and earth。 Excellent are Thy works； true are Thy
judgments； and by Thy Providence are all things governed。 Therefore
109