Chapter Nineteen
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The tenth degree—Rebellion.
(The opposite of the third degree of humility—obedient submission to superiors.)
UNLESS by a merciful intervention of Providence this man quietly accepts the unanimous verdict—a thing which it is very difficult for such persons to do—he soon becomes shameless and defiant, and more hopelessly degenerate, and sinks through rebellion into the tenth degree, so that he who had hitherto by his conceit treated his brethren with veiled discourtesy, now by his disobedience shows open contempt for authority. For it should be observed that all the degrees—which I have divided into twelve—may be arranged in three groups; in the first six there is disrespect to the brethren, in the four that follow defiance of authority, while the last two show complete contempt for God. And it should also be noted that, just as the first two degrees in the ascending scale of humility must be attained before entering the community so the last downward steps in pride, which are their counterpart, cannot be taken whilst in it. That the first two degrees must be previously passed, the language of the Rule makes clear. For it says that “The third degree is that anyone for love of God should submit with entire obedience to his superior.” (Rule, cap. 7). Therefore if this submission, which beyond doubt is made when the novice enters the convent, is assigned to the third degree, the necessary presumption is that the two preceding degrees have been passed. Therefore when a monk scorns alike the harmony of the brethren and the decision of his ruler, what more can he do in the monastery except cause scandal?