Of the exercises of a good religious
Chapter 19 walk in purity
Their traces that remain still bear witness that they were truly holy and perfect men, who did battle so stoutly and trampled the world under their feet.
Now he is thought great who is not a transgressor and can endure with patience the life he has undertaken.
6. O the lukewarmness and negligence of our state! that we so soon fall away from our first fervour, and even grow weary of life, because of our slothfulness and tepidity.
Would to God that the desire to grow in virtue may not go quite asleep in you, who have so often seen the many examples of the devoutl
CHAPTER 19
OF THE EXERCISES OF A GOOD RELIGIOUS
The life of a good religious ought to abound in every virtue, that he may be such inwardly as he seems to men outwardly.
And indeed he ought to be much more within than he appears outwardly; for God is our Beholder, and we should exceedingly stand in awe of Him, wherever we may be, and like the Angels walk before Him in purity.
Every day we ought to renew our purpose and rouse ourselves to fervour, as if that day were the first day of our conversion.
And we ought to say, Help me, O Lord God, in my good purpose, and in Thy holy service, and grant that I may this day begin indeed, since what I have hitherto done is nothing.
2. As our purpose is, so will our progress be; and he has need of much diligence that wishes to advance much.
And if he who strongly purposes nevertheless often fails, what wiQ he do that seldom or but weakly resolves?
Yet the falling off from any good resolution happens many ways; and a trifling omission in our exercises hardly passes over without some loss.
The resolutions of the just depend rather on the grace of God than on their own wisdom; and in Him they always put their trust, whatever they take in hand.
For man proposes, but God disposes; neither is the way of man in his own hands.
If, for piety's sake or a brother's benefit, an accustomed exercise be sometimes omitted, it can easily be resumed afterwards.
But if it be laid aside lightly, out of weariness of mind or negligence, it is no small fault and will be found to do harm.
OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
Book I Let us try as much as we can, we shall still readily fail in many things.
Nevertheless, we should always have some certain resolution, and especially against the things that are our greatest hindrances.
We must examine and set in order both our inner life and our outward behaviour, for both are of importance for our advancement in virtue.
If you cannot be continually recollected, at all events be so sometimes, and at least once a day: in the morning, for example, or in the evening.
In the morning make your resolution; in the evening examine your conduct, how you have behaved this day in word, deed, and thought; for it may be that in these you have many times offended God and your neighbour.
Gird yourself up like a man to resist the wicked suggestions of the devil; bridle gluttony, and you will the easier bridle every inclination of the flesh.
Never be wholly idle, but either reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or labouring at something for the common good.
Nevertheless bodily exercises are to be practised with discretion, and not equally to be undertaken by all.
5. Those things which are not common to all ought not to be done in public; for private devotions are more safely practised in secret.
You must take care not to shirk what is common and be too ready to do what is singular; but when you have fully and faithfully fulfilled all duties and orders, then, if there be any time left, give yourself to yourself, as your devotion may lead you.
All cannot use the self-same exercise; for one suits this person better, another that.
Moreover, according to the diversity of times are different exercises agreeable: some please on feast days, others suit better on common days.
We have need of one sort in time of temptation, of another in time of peace and quiet.
There are some things we love to think of when we are sad, and others when we are joyful in the Lord.
6. About the time of the principal festivals we should renew our good exercises, and implore more fervently the intercession of the Saints.
From festival to festival we should make our resolutions, as if we were then to depart from this world and to come to the eternal festival.
Chapter 20 the security of the saints
And so we ought to prepare ourselves carefully in seasons of devotion, and walk more devoutly, and keep every observance more strictly, as though we were soon to receive from God the reward of our labour.
7. And if it be put off, let us believe that we are not well enough prepared, and are as yet unworthy of that great glory which shall be revealed in us^ at the time appointed; and let us study to prepare ourselves better for our departure.
We read in St. Luke's Gospel: Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he comes shall find watching. Amen I say unto you, he shall set him over all his goodsJ^
CHAPTER 20
OF THE LOVE OF SOLITUDE
AND SILENCE
Seek a convenient time to retire into yourself; and think often on the benefits of God.
Let curiosities alone; and read such books as turn the heart to compunction, rather than entertain the mind.
If you will refrain from superfluous talk and idle visits, and from giving ear to news and gossip, you will 6nd yourself with sufficient and suitable time for good meditations.
The greatest Saints shunned the company of men when they could, and chose rather to live to God in secret.
2. There was one who said : As often as I have been amongst men, I have returned home less a man.^ This we too often experience when we talk long.
It is easier to keep silence altogether than not to speak too much.
It is easier to keep retired at home than to be enough upon one's guard abroad.
He, therefore, who aims at inward and spiritual things, must with Jesus turn aside from the crowd.*
No man can safely appear in public but he who loves seclusion.
No man can safely speak but he who loves silence.
No man can safely be a superior but he who loves to live in subjection.
1 Romans viii, 18.
2 Luke xii, 43.
* Seneca, Epistle vii.
*Jolm V, 13; Luke v, 16.
OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
Book I No man can safely command but he who has learned how to obey well.
3. No man can rejoice securely but he who has within him the testimony of a good conscience.
Yet the security of the Saints was always full of the fear of God.
Neither were they the less careful and humble in themselves because they shone with great virtue and grace.
But the security of the wicked arises from their pride and presumption, and in the end turns to their own deception.
Never promise yourself security in this life, however good a religious or devout solitary you may seem to be.
4. Often those highest in men's estimation have been in the greater danger, by reason of their excessive self-confidence.
Therefore it is better for many not to be wholly free from temptations, but to be often assaulted, lest they become too secure, lest they be puffed up with pride, lest they even turn aside too freely after outward consolations.
O how good a conscience would he keep, who never sought transitory joys, and never busied himself with the world 1
O how great peace and tranquillity would he have, who should cut off all vain solicitude, and think only of the things of God and his salvation, and place his whole hope in God!
5. No one is worthy of heavenly consolation who has not diligently exercised himself in holy compunction.
If you would feel compunction to your very heart, retire to your room and shut out the noise of the world; as it is written,
Be ye contrite in your rooms.^ You will find in your cell what you will too often lose abroad.
A ceU constantly occupied grows sweet; whereas, if you frequent it little, it produces weariness.
If, from the beginning of your religious life, you occupy it and keep it well, it will be to you afterwards as a dear friend and most delightful solace.
In silence and in quiet the devout soul makes progress, and learns the hidden things of Scripture.
There she finds floods of tears, wherein each night she may wash and be cleansed. She shall become the more familiar with her Creator, the further she dwells from all the tumult of the world.
For whoso withdraws himself from his acquaintances and friends, to him will God draw near with His holy Angels.
It is better to lie hid and take diligent care of yourself, than neglecting yourself to work signs and wonders.
1 Psalm iv, 5.