AN EXAMPLE
SERMON XVII
OF SHUNNING VAINGLORY AND PURSUING HUMBLE OBEDIENCE
HE that glorieth: let him glory in the Lord. Beloved brethren, if you think over your past life in the world with sorrow of heart, and how much you have offended God: in what can you glory? If also you will ponder attentively your daily negligences and divers offences; whence have you cause to glory, who are so imperfect? He who watchfully heeds his past sins, and present dangers, and strictly weighs them: can never vainly glory of his works. Which of us knows how God regards and judges our every thought, word, and deed day and night; whether He accepts, or rejects them? A man also, however good and devout he may be now, knows not how long he will remain thus: whether he will become better or worse. Brethren, if you begin to think of the hidden judgements of God, His terrible works upon the sons of men from the commencement of the world: very soon will fade away everything lofty and carnal that gives pleasure in earthly things. Whence holy David prays: “Pierce Thou my flesh with Thy fear: for I am afraid of Thy judgements.” As God is loving and merciful towards the penitent and them that fervently amend: so is He harsh and terrible to them that do ill and negligently. Do not therefore glory in the malice and wickedness of your heart: as many fools do; who stained with filth are not ashamed: but even when mocked by others rejoice and laugh. Lift your eyes to Heaven, and look upon the dignity, purity and supreme blessedness of the angels: who seek not their own praise nor the glory of another, but the glory, honour, and magnificence of God: by Whom they acknowledge that they were created, in Whom also they love one another: and most gratefully ascribe to Him all that they have received from Him with mighty power. If therefore the holy angels are humble and grateful to God in such sublime heights: how much more man, mortal and a sinner, ought to humble himself, and cast away all vainglory. Learn, wretched and proud man, not to be high-minded, but with heart and mouth consent to the humble; that thou mayest find grace before God and the angels: which the puffed-up cannot attain, and that thou mayest not lose everlasting glory in Heaven, which the bad angels forfeited by pride. Strive to wish to please God alone in every good work: and to submit thyself to every human creature for God’s sake; to obey the seniors, assist the juniors, show reverence to all: bear with gentleness the conduct of the sick and the perverse. If thou seekest to be saved, if thou wilt be made happy and exalted: follow the humble Christ, and despise thyself. For thou canst not otherwise mount up to Heaven: unless thou humble thyself with thy whole heart for God’s sake. Desire not to be in the mouth of men: who with foolish praises deceive the silly lover of temporal glory. See into thy heart in truth, to how many passions it is exposed; and thou shalt not glory in thyself: nor despise thy neighbour, however poor he be and weak. Hold in mind the memorable word of Christ; and when the vainglory of the world tempts thee: answer thyself what Christ said to the Jews. “If I glorify myself: My glory is nothing.” Let vainglory then depart and the praise of men for any learning or art acquired: let foolish boasting of good work or skilful discourse cease: let worldly cunning be uprooted from the heart of a religious: perish false imagining of holiness shown without: let the presumption of novelty blush, void of the fruit of charity, contrary to the peace of the community. Rejoice ever, simplicity of the dove, free from the gall of bitterness; correct thy brother in the spirit of mildness: teach rather by humble example than by subtle word. Bear with patience the adversary: whom thou canst not amend to perfection. The time will soon come, that iniquity shall stop her mouth: and the wickedness of the deceiver shall fall on his own head; and he will bear his own shame, who eagerly desires human praise: and seeks the dignity of honour. What holiness does the report of a great name bring: when little or no virtue dwells in the conscience? What devotion does wandering through divers countries bestow: which is the cause of great vanity, and a distraction of the mind? What profit does acquaintance with the mighty afford a religious; and the curious gazing at high walls and castles? In sooth all these things are made of the earth: and unto the earth all shall return. Often also by the power of arms they are brought down to dust: and burnt with fire. Better therefore is a poor man living unknown in a wretched hut eating herbs and vegetables with a good conscience; than a rich man dwelling in a fine mansion, drinking wines and eating delicacies with mirth and pride: filled with an evil conscience. To whom may be justly applied that word of the gospel: “Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee: and whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?” Let no one then be glad for the vain praises of men: even if he do aught praiseworthy. Let no man trust too much in his own goodness: or foolishly presume of his own strength: or also boast of nobility of race. Let no man be puffed up for possession of knowledge; let no man boast of the dignity of superior-ship over others: let no man, trusting in abundance of wealth and revenue, think himself happy and rich, nor despise the poor; for he knows not how long he will live and possess these things: he knows not what trouble may thence come to him, when God shall so permit. In fine, in every temporal thing and human work: uncertain is the progress and good issue. For very often things fall out otherwise than men think: and often counsels are changed to the contrary. Blind men cannot see mountains on a clear day: however clever they may be. The wise in their own eyes are often mistaken concerning the future: who, trusting in their own cunning, have not God before their eyes. For those who ambition earthly things, love honours, pursue pleasures, fear misfortunes, desire prosperity, seek high places, rejoice in vanities; by a just judgement of God will mourn in their turn: and will be miserably afflicted for good things lost. Betwixt the hope of good and the fear of evil the worldly and fleshly heart is constantly tossed; because it has not set the anchor of its hope in the desire of Heaven: where all good things abound and last for ever. Wherefore, most dear brethren, since no one knows for certain what of things to come may be more advantageous for him, or more expedient for the salvation of his soul: it is safer and more praiseworthy to follow the counsel of the wise and experienced, and especially of our prelates and ancients: who have the knowledge of the scriptures, and experience of dangers from themselves and many others. For often the devil with malicious instinct: beguiles the devout even under the appearance of good. Let no one therefore be headstrong in his own desire and private fancy: nor rashly abound in his own opinion and natural gifts: but even in small things not sufficiently well known to him let him proceed with caution: seek advice, act with deliberation, tell his motive: expose the secret wound of his mind, trust the physician: deceive not himself under feigned words: nor speak otherwise with the mouth than he holds in the heart: because it is written, “Thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie.” It is a ruling of law, he who speaks falsely gains nothing: but renders himself unworthy of all favour, and makes himself suspect to very many. It is a great and praiseworthy prudence: to renounce one’s own industry, humbly to obey the superior; to believe one more learned, to agree with one more experienced: and ever to show oneself cheerful in all good things pleasing to God. Nor is danger of error to be feared there: where the good intention of the prelate excuses the obedient disciple. Finally all religious bound to Christ may be safely advised: that all the matter of their perplexity, all desire of devotion, all study of reading, all leisure of contemplation, all the fruit of their preaching, and whatever good they may conceive in their mind: they first take care to offer to God in secret prayer; then this same humbly expose in open confession to their superior, as to the vicar of Christ: and unhesitatingly commit to them what they ought to do or leave undone. For perfect obedience ought to have nothing of its own seeking: possess neither great nor little with disordered affection: that thereby all cupidity and self-ease having been uprooted as much as possible: the soul may have a free flight to Heaven. To such a one to live is now Christ: and to die daily for Christ the greatest gain. And to be with Christ the only desire: and most blissful good. Brethren, ever hold firmly in your heart the word of the wise Solomon: who sets simple obedience with resignation of self-will before all sacrifices, saying: “Obedience is better than victims.” And again: “Do all things with counsel: and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done.”
AN EXAMPLE
There were two Devout Brothers in the Deventer Congregation engaged in study: and they were speaking together of the virtue of obedience. Said one therefore to the other, his fellow: “It has always gone ill with me: when neglecting advice I have done my own will.” Answered the other. “And I have never regretted: that I have yielded to good counsels.” I know an old Brother who in his youth very willingly listened to the words of the elders; but he grieves greatly of this: that he has left much to forgetfulness.