Of compunction of heart
Chapter 21 compunction
It is praiseworthy for a religious to go abroad but seldom, to shun being seen, and not even to desire to see men.
7. Why do you wish to see what it is not lawful for you to have? The world passes away and the concupiscence thereof^
The desires of the senses draw you to roam abroad; but when the hour has passed away, what do you bring back with you but a weight upon your conscience and a dissipated heart?
A cheerful outing often begets a sorrowful home-coming; and a merry evening makes a sad morning.
So all carnal joys enter pleasantly; but in the end they bring remorse and destruction.
What can you see elsewhere that you do not see here? Lo, here are the heavens and the earth and all the elements; and out of these all things are made.
8. What can you see anywhere that can last long imder the sun?
You think that your heart will be satisfied; but you will never be able to attain satisfaction.
If you could see all things at once before you, what would it be but an empty vision?
Lift up your eyes to God on high, and ask pardon for your sins and negligences.
Leave vain things to vain people; look rather to those things which God has commanded you.
Shut your door upon you,'' and call to you Jesus your beloved.
Stay with Him in your cell; for nowhere else shall you find so great peace.
Had you never left your cell, to lend your ear to idle talk, you would have remained the better in true peace.
But because it is sometimes your pleasure to listen to news, you must needs suffer disquietude of heart
CHAPTER 21
OF COMPUNCTION OF HEART
If you wish to make progress, keep yourself in the fear of God. Be not too free, but restrain all your senses under discipline, and do not abandon yourself to foolish mirth.
Give yourself to compunction of heart and you shall find devotion.
1 1 John ii, 17.
3 Matthew vi, 6.
OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
Book I Compunction discloses much good, which dissipation quickly destroys.
It is wonderful that any man can ever abandon himself wholly to joy in this life, when he considers and ponders his state of exUe and the manifold perils of his soul.
2. Through levity of heart and neglect of our defects we do not perceive the ills of our soul, but often vainly laugh when in all reason we should weep.
There is no true liberty or sound joy but in the fear of God with a good conscience.
Happy is the man that can put aside all the hindrance of distraction, and recollect himself in the unity of holy compunction.
Happy the man who renounces whatever may stain or burden his conscience.
Strive manfully; habit is overcome by habit.
If you can let men alone, they will let you alone, to do whatever you have to do.
3. Busy not yourself with other men's concerns; nor meddle with the business of your superiors.
Always keep an eye upon yourself first of all, and admonish yourself rather than any of your dearest friends.
If you have not the favour of men, be not thereby afflicted; but let it seriously concern you that you do not carry yourself so well and circumspectly as becomes a servant of God and a devout religious.
It is often better and safer for a man not to have many consolations in this life, especially such as are according to the flesh.
Still, that we have not divine consolation, or experience it seldom, is our own fault; because we do not seek compunction of heart, and do not wholly renounce vain and outward consolations.
4. Recognize that you are unworthy of heavenly consolation and rather deserve much tribulation.
When a man has perfect compunction, then the whole world is burdensome and distasteful to him.
A good man finds abundant matter for sorrow and tears.
For whether he considers himself, or thinks of his neighbour, he knows that no man lives here below without tribulation.
And the more strictly he considers himself, the greater is his sorrow.
The subjects of just sorrow and interior compunction are our sins and vices, in which we lie so enwrapped that we are seldom able to contemplate heavenly things.
5. Did you thiuk oftener of your death than of a long Ufe, assuredly you would be more zealous to amend yourself.