the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第51章
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poison with all speed； hasten to take the remedy； and thou shalt feel thyself
better than if thou didst long defer it。 If to…day thou defer it on one
account； to…morrow perchance some greater obstacle will come； and so
thou mayest be long time hindered from Communion and become more
unfit。 As soon as thou canst； shake thyself from thy present heaviness
and sloth； for it profiteth nothing to be long anxious； to go long on thy way
with heaviness of heart； and because of daily little obstacles to sever
thyself from divine things； nay it is exceeding hurtful to defer thy
Communion long； for this commonly bringeth on great torpor。 Alas！
there are some； lukewarm and undiscplined； who willingly find excuses
for delaying repentance； and desire to defer Holy Communion； lest they
should be bound to keep stricter watch upon themselves。
5。 Alas！ how little charity； what flagging devotion； have they who so
lightly put off Holy Communion。 How happy is he； how acceptable to
God； who so liveth； that any day he could be ready and well inclined to
communicate； if it were in his power； and might be done without the
notice of others。 If a man sometimes abstaineth for the sake of humility
or some sound cause； he is to be commended for his reverence。 But if
drowsiness have taken hold of him； he ought to rouse himself and to do
what in him lieth； and the Lord will help his desire for the good will which
he hath； which God specially approveth。
6。 But when he is hindered by sufficient cause； yet will he ever have a
good will and pious intention to communicate； and so he shall not be
lacking in the fruit of the Sacrament。 For any devout man is able every
day and every hour to draw near to spiritual communion with Christ to his
soul's health and without hindrance。 Nevertheless on certain days and at
the appointed time he ought to receive the Body and Blood of his
Redeemer with affectionate reverence； and rather to seek after the praise
and honour of God； than his own comfort。 For so often doth he
communicate mystically； and is invisibly refreshed； as he devoutly called
to mind the mystery of Christ's incarnation and His Passions； and is
inflamed with the love of Him。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
7。 He who only prepareth himself when a festival is at hand or custom
compelleth； will too often be unprepared。 Blessed is he who offereth
himself to God for a whole burnt…offering； so often as he celebrateth of
communicateth！ Be not too slow nor too hurried in thy celebrating； but
preserve the good received custom of those with whom thou livest。 Thou
oughtest not to produce weariness and annoyance in others； but to observe
the received custom； according to the institution of the elders； and to
minister to the profit of others rather than to thine own devotion or feeling。
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CHAPTER 105
The Voice of the Disciple
O most sweet Lord Jesus； how great is the blessedness of the devout
soul that feedeth with Thee in Thy banquet； where there is set before it no
other food than Thyself its only Beloved； more to be desired than all the
desires of the heart？ And to me it would verily be sweet to pour forth my
tears in Thy presence from the very bottom of my heart； and with the
pious Magdalene to water Thy feet with my tears。 But where is this
devotion？ Where the abundant flowing of holy tears？ Surely in Thy
presence and in the presence of the holy Angels my whole heart ought to
burn and to weep for joy； for I have Thee in the Sacrament verily present；
although hidden under other form。
2。 For in Thine own Divine brightness； mine eyes could not endure to
behold Thee； neither could the whole world stand before the splendour of
the glory of Thy Majesty。 In this therefore Thou hast consideration unto
my weakness； that Thou hidest Thyself under the Sacrament。 I verily
possess and adore Him whom the Angels adore in heaven； I yet for a while
by faith； but they by sight and without a veil。 It is good for me to be
content with the light of true faith； and to walk therein until the day of
eternal brightness dawn； and the shadows of figures flee away。（1） But
when that which is perfect is come； the using of Sacraments shall cease；
because the Blessed in heavenly glory have no need of Sacramental
remedy。 For they rejoice unceasingly in the presence of God； beholding
His glory face to face； and being changed from glory to glory（2） of the
infinite God； they taste the Word of God made flesh； as He was in the
beginning and remaineth for everlasting。
3。 When I think on these wondrous things； even spiritual comfort
whatsoever it be becometh sore weariness to me； for so long as I see not
openly my Lord in His own Glory； I count for nothing all which I behold
and hear in the world。 Thou； O God； art my witness that nothing is able
to comfort me； no creature is able to give me rest； save Thou； O my God；
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whom I desire to contemplate everlastingly。 But this is not possible； so
long as I remain in this mortal state。 Therefore ought I to set myself unto
great patience； and submit myself unto Thee in every desire。 For even Thy
Saints； O Lord； who now rejoice with Thee in the kingdom of heaven；
waited for the coming of Thy glory whilst they lived here； in faith and
great glory。 What they believed； that believe I； what they hoped for； I
hope； whither they have attained to； thither through Thy grace hope I to
come。 I will walk meanwhile in faith； strengthened by the examples of
the Saints。 I will have also holy books for comfort and for a mirror of
life； and above them all Thy most holy Body and Blood shall be for me a
special remedy and refuge。
4。 For two things do I feel to be exceedingly necessary to me in this
life； without which this miserable life would be intolerable to me； being
detained in the prison of this body； I confess that I need two things； even
food and light。 Thou hast therefore given to me who am so weak； Thy
sacred Body and Blood； for the refreshing of my soul and body； and hast
set Thy Word for a lantern to my feet。（3） Without these two I could not
properly live； for the Word of God is the light of my soul； and Thy
Sacrament the bread of life。 These may also be called the two tables；
placed on this side and on that； in the treasury of Thy holy Church。 One
table is that of the Sacred Altar； bearing the holy bread； that is the precious
Body and Blood of Christ； the other is the table of the Divine Law；
contai
