CHAPTER V The priest must be qualified for everything
CHAPTER V
The priest must be qualified for everything
530. All these different things look to one end,—the glory of God, and the edification of the Church.
531. Great is the struggle of the monks, and much their labour; but if one should compare their toils with the priestly office when well administered, he would find the difference as great as the distance between a private person and a king.
532. For although in the former case, there is much fatigue, the contest is common to body and soul alike, or rather is mostly accomplished in the discipline of the body; and if it should not be strong, the willing mind remains, though it is unable to proceed to action. Continual fasting, sleeping on the ground, vigils, neglect of ablution, much toil, and other things which tend to the affliction of the body, all cease when the body which is to be chastised is not strong enough.
533. But in this case the discipline is purely that of the soul, and no vigour of body is required in order to display its virtue. For how does strength of body help us to be neither self-sufficient, irascible, nor headstrong, but sober and prudent, decorous, and everything else wherewith S. Paul rendered perfect his image of the best of priests?
534. But nobody could have this to say of the virtue of a monk. Wonder-workers have need of many instruments, such as wheels, ropes, and swords; but a philosopher has all his skill in his mind, requiring nothing external.
535. So here, the monk requires a good bodily constitution, and places adapted for his mode of life,—that they be not too far removed from converse with men, and may yet possess the retirement of solitude, and moreover, may not lack the best temperature of the seasons, because nothing is so insupportable to one who macerates himself with fastings, as a variable climate. I need say nothing here about the supply of clothing and diet, which are matters they must attend to, endeavouring to do everything for themselves.