Part I
THE SCALE (or LADDER) of
PERFECTION
Written by WALTER HILTON
With an Essay on The Spiritual Life of Mediaeval England by
the Rev. J. B. DALGAIRNS, Priest of the Oratory
Moses plus profecit in monte adorando quam
multitude magna bellantium
Scanned and edited by Harry Plantinga, 1995
This etext is in the public domain
Publishers' Note
OF all the old English ascetical works which were extant before the Reformation none have maintained their reputation longer than Walter Hilton's "Scale of Perfection." Hilton was a canon of Thurgarton in Nottinghamshire, and died in 1395. His "Scale of Perfection" is found in no less than five MSS. in the British Museum alone. Wynkyn de Worde printed it at least three times -- in the years 1494, 1519 and 1525. Many other editions were printed at the same period.
After the Reformation it was a favourite book of Father Augustine Baker's, the wellknown author of "Sancta Sophia," and his comments on it are among his MSS. at Downside. In 1659 Father Baker's biographer and editor, Dom Serenus Cressy, O.S.B., published an edition of the "Scale," the title-page of which claims that "by the changing of some antiquated words [it is] rendered more intelligible." Another edition appeared in 1672, and yet another in 1679.
Within our own times two editions have been published -- one by the late Father Ephrem Guy, O.S.B., in 1869, the other, a reprint of Cressy's, in 1870, with an introduction by Father Dalgairns on the "Spiritual Life of Mediaeval England." Cressy's text has again been used in the present edition, and Father Dalgairns's Essay is also reprinted in this volume.
CONTENTS
An Essay on the Spiritual Life of Mediaeval England
THE FIRST BOOK
PART I
I. That the inward state of the Soul should be like the outward
II. Of the Active Life, and the Exercises and the Works thereof
III. Of the Contemplative Life, and the Exercises and Works thereof
IV. Of three Sorts that be of Contemplation, and of the First of them
V. Of the Second Sort of Contemplation
VI. Of the Lower Degree of the Second Sort of Contemplation
VII. Of the Higher Degree of the Second Sort of Contemplation
VIII. Of the Third Sort of Contemplation
IX. Of the Difference that is betwixt the Second and Third Sort of Contemplation
X. How that Appearings or Shewings to the Corporal Senses or Feelings may be both good and evil
XI. How thou shalt know whether the Showing or Apparition to the bodily Senses and Feelings be good or evil
XII. How and in what things a Contemplative Man should be busied
XIII. How virtue beginneth in Reason and Will and is perfected in Love and Liking, or Affection
XIV. Of the Means that bring a Soul to Contemplation
XV. (i) What a Man should use and refuse by the virtue of Humility
(ii) How Hypocrites and Heretics, for want of Humility, exalt themselves in their Hearts above others
XVI. Of a firm Faith necessary thereto, and what things we ought to believe thereby
XVII. Of a firm and resolute Intent and Purpose necessary thereto
XVIII. A brief Rehearsal of what hath been said, and of an Offering made of them
altogether to Jesus