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！
from Thy mouth； that they may be more deeply implanted in my heart。
Words of such great grace arouse me； for they are full of sweetness and
love； but my own sins terrify me； and my impure conscience driveth me
away from receiving so great mysteries。 The sweetness of Thy words
encourageth me； but the multitude of my faults presseth me down。
2。 Thou commandest that I draw near to Thee with firm confidence； if
I would have part with Thee； and that I receive the food of immortality； if I
desire to obtain eternal life and glory。 Come unto Me； sayest Thou； all
that labour and are heavy laden； and I will refresh you。 Oh； sweet and
lovely word in the ear of the sinner； that Thou； O Lord my God； dost invite
the poor and needy to the Communion of Thy most holy body and blood。
But who am I； O Lord； that I should presume to approach unto Thee？
Behold the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee； and yet Thou sayest；
Come ye all unto Me。
3。 What meaneth this most gracious condescension； this most lovely
invitation？ How shall I dare to come； who know no good thing of myself；
whence I might be able to presume？ How shall I bring Thee within my
house； seeing that I so often have sinned in Thy most loving sight？
Angels and Archangels stand in awe of Thee； and Thou sayest； Come unto
Me！ Except Thou； Lord； hadst said it； who should believe it true？ And
except Thou hadst commanded； who should attempt to draw near？
4。 Behold； Noah； that just man； laboured for a hundred years in
building the ark； that he might be saved with the few； and I； how shall I be
able in one hour to prepare myself to receive the Builder of the world with
182
… Page 183…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
reverence？ Moses； Thy servant； Thy great and especial friend； made an
ark of incorruptible wood； which also he covered with purest gold； that he
might lay up in it the tables of the law； and I； a corruptible creature； shall I
dare thus easily to receive Thee； the Maker of the Law； and the Giver of
life？ Solomon； the wisest of the kings of Israel； was seven years building
his magnificent temple to the praise of Thy Name； and for eight days
celebrated the feast of its dedication； offered a thousand peace offerings；
and solemnly brought up the Ark of the Covenant to the place prepared for
it； with the sound of trumpets and great joy； and I； unhappy and poorest of
mankind； how shall I bring Thee into my house； who scarce know how to
spend half an hour in devotion？ And oh that it were even one half hour
worthily spent！
5。 O my God； how earnestly these holy men strove to please Thee！
And alas！ how little and trifling is that which I do！ how short a time do I
spend； when I am disposing myself to Communion。 Rarely altogether
collected； most rarely cleansed from all distraction。 And surely in the
saving presence of Thy Godhead no unmeet thought ought to intrude； nor
should any creature take possession of me； because it is not an Angel but
the Lord of Angels； that I am about to receive as my Guest。
6。 Yet there is a vast difference between the Ark of the Covenant with
its relics； and Thy most pure Body with its ineffable virtues； between those
sacrifices of the law； which were figures of things to come； and the true
sacrifice of Thy Body； the completion of all the ancient sacrifices。
7。 Wherefore then do I not yearn more ardently after Thy adorable
presence？ Why do I not prepare myself with great solicitude to receive
Thy holy things； when those holy Patriarchs and Prophets of old； kings
also and princes； with the whole people； manifested so great affection of
devotion towards Thy Divine Service？
8。 The most devout king David danced with all his might before the
Ark of God； calling to mind the benefits granted to his forefathers in days
past； he fashioned musical instruments of various sorts； put forth Psalms；
and appointed them to be sung with joy； played also himself ofttimes on
the harp； being inspired with the grace of the Holy Ghost； he taught the
183
… Page 184…
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
people of Israel to praise God with the whole heart； and with unity of
voice to bless and praise Him every day。 If so great devotion was then
exercised； and celebration of divine praise was carried on before the Ark
of the Testimony； how great reverence and devotion ought now to be
shown by me and all Christian people at the ministering of the Sacrament；
at receiving the most precious Body and Blood of Christ。
9。 Many run to diverse places to visit the memorials of departed Saints；
and rejoice to hear of their deeds and to look upon the beautiful buildings
of their shrines。 And behold； Thou art present here with me； O my God；
Saint of Saints； Creator of men and Lord of the Angels。 Often in looking
at those memorials men are moved by curiosity and novelty； and very little
fruit of amendment is borne away； especially when there is so much
careless trifling and so little true contrition。 But here in the Sacrament of
the Altar； Thou art present altogether； My God； the Man Christ Jesus；
where also abundant fruit of eternal life is given to every one soever that
receiveth Thee worthily and devoutly。 But to this no levity draweth； no
curiousity； nor sensuality； only steadfast faith； devout hope； and sincere
charity。
10。 O God； invisible Creator of the world； how wondrously dost Thou
work with us； how sweetly and graciously Thou dealest with Thine elect；
to whom Thou offerest Thyself to be received in this Sacrament！ For this
surpasseth all understanding； this specially draweth the hearts of the
devout and enkindleth their affections。 For even thy true faithful ones
themselves； who order their whole life to amendment； oftentimes gain
from this most excellent Sacrament great grace of devotion and love of
virtue。
11。 Oh admirable and hidden grace of the Sacrament； which only
Christ's faithful ones know； but the faithful and those who serve sin cannot
experience！ In this Sacrament is conferred spiritual grace； and lost virtue
is regained in the soul； and the beauty which was disfigured by sin
re