An Example Of Patience
SERMON XIX
OF THE DIVERS WARS AND PERILS OF THIS LIFE
THE flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: for these are contrary one to another. Beloved brethren, in the preceding sermon you heard a little about the spiritual warfare of the saints: now consequently a few words must be said of the different kinds of war, in order to guard against the snares and wiles of the old serpent; who full of malice goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour: and cruelly rages in particular against young soldiers of Christ. For he envies them the glory of the heavenly kingdom: whence he fell with many on a sudden by pride. By whose pestiferous persuasion very many are deceived: and sometimes men famous in science and raised high in government have gone astray infected by vainglory: who drawn away by the friendship of men fell and were mortally wounded. But, brethren newly converted, be on your guard against two evils especially: to wit, carnal desires suddenly rushing in through the five senses of the body; and pride of mind by the desire of vain praise: lest you lose the grace of interior devotion with the reward of the eternal recompense. Our fighting, most dear brethren, is not carnal power: but the gentle suffering of all wrongs for Christ: not worldly wisdom: but humble obedience: not the seeking of bodily ease: but affliction of the flesh: not rest from toil: but the mortification of evil pleasure. If you ask how long will last these wars between the flesh and the spirit, between the devil and man, between the world and Christ: I say, according to the gospel and the apostle: until the last span of our life and the consummation of the world. For Christ said before the hour of His Passion: “My soul is sorrowful even unto death.” And to His disciples at the Last Supper: “In the world you shall have distress. If they have persecuted Me: they will also persecute you.” And therefore encouraging them to patience and perseverance: He said to His friends grieved at His departure: “Let not your heart be troubled nor let it be afraid; for I go to prepare a place for you: that where I am you also may be with Me. But meanwhile while you are in the world: hold to patience as a strong buckler: and to the breast-plate of faith in every danger, trusting always in God.” Let us pray then, brothers, that we may find grace and mercy in the sight of Our Lord Jesus Christ: and that He may teach us the art of fighting against our passions and vices: which assault and tempt us as long as we live in the flesh and nourish the body. Let each one say with David in the psalm when he is tempted by any vice at the instigation of the devil: or troubled by a perverse man. “Lord, overthrow them that fight against me lest I fall beneath the burden: for without Thee I cannot resist or endure.” For he who is often tempted and in his temptation speedily flies to Christ and prays: will be delivered by His grace, will be strengthened and will prevail: he will progress greatly in the virtue of patience: and will receive a greater crown for his brave struggle. But he who is seldom or never tempted, nor troubled by his own or others’ malice: this one is to be called an angel rather than a man. His dwelling is more truly to be sought in Heaven than on earth. For there is supreme peace and concord: but here peace is seldom, joy brief: repose little, distress frequent: anxiety heavy, and victory uncertain. Nevertheless we must not lose heart: because for the least toil and sorrow will be given rejoicing without end.
But the multitude of our wars and the wiles of our foes, who can unfold? No one unless he be enlightened by God: and well learned in Holy Writ, as Paul who saith: “For we are not ignorant of his devices.” However, hear a little concerning the wars between the good and the bad from the sacred books for your warning and instruction; that you may be more cautious to withstand the perils of the wicked: and stronger to persevere in the paths of the just.
The first war commenced with the angels in Heaven: when Lucifer by pride wished to lift himself on high, and to be made like to the Most High: and to glory as in his own power: and to take delight in himself alone. When this was discovered in the palace of the heavenly King: St. Michael and his angels, angry at the arrogance of the haughty Lucifer, were moved with the zeal of justice: and cast out all the citizens of pride from their bounds. For no angel, however great, should exalt himself above the magnificence of his Creator: nor being made equal himself to his Maker: nor in the beauty of his wisdom rashly glory: nor abuse the sublime gifts freely bestowed upon him by God. Since then Satan by the swelling of pride exalted himself too high vainly glorying, and raising his throne above the rest: by a just judgement of God he fell from the happy fellowship of the holy angels into the abyss of hell and the prison of the damned. Of whom the Saviour said to His disciples: “I saw Satan like lightning falling from Heaven.” Of whose terrible lot, and irreparable fall: blessed John the evangelist speaks in the Apocalypse, saying: “And there was a great battle in Heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon: and the dragon was cast into the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him: neither was their place found any more in Heaven.” Behold how much the pride of the devil deserved: who has been cast out from the face of the God of Heaven, that he may not see the glory of God. Which doubtless he can never attain: who wishes to glory in himself. Hence also Isaias exclaims manifestly of the loss of the reprobate: “Let the wicked one be destroyed: that he may not see the glory of God.” By a most unquestionable instance it is now evident, how very displeasing to God is the exaltation of the proud. Who spared not the angels in their pride: but delivered them to eternal flames to be tormented, having taken away all hope of forgiveness. Alas, how severe a sentence of the supernal judge, to be cast out from the pleasant face of the divine majesty and everlasting bliss: and ever to be burnt by most fierce flames, which cannot be extinguished by waters, nor mitigated by remedies. Wherefore each must fear because of the severe judgement of God on the proud angels damned eternally: but rather with the psalmist confess and pray: “Let not the foot of pride come tome: and let not the hand of the sinner move me.” And again: “Shall not my soul be subject to God: for from Him is my salvation.”
The second war commenced in Paradise, when the first man had been made: to wit, between the devil and man, between Eve and the serpent. For the devil envying man hitherto innocent, that he could obtain the entrance to Heaven by obedience to the command: approached in the appearance of a serpent, with a crafty question to the woman, whom he knew to be weaker, and more yielding than the man: and with flattering words and cunning arguments seduced her easily believing him: and not heeding the precept of God at such a crisis. But alas, man formed right by God, and set in the most happy place of Paradise: by the transgression of the sacred precept, lost the state of innocence and the dwelling of sovereign peace: for a morsel of one most miserable apple. Therefore gravely offending God, he incurred the sentence of death, and merited much misery of body and soul: as now truly all we children of Eve experience, suffer and grieve: who by the vice of original sin, are stained, corrupted and stricken. In this war man was vanquished, tempted by an apple: who seduced by the devil’s malice, and poisoned with the venom of mortal sin was pierced with many wounds: to wit, hunger, thirst, cold, heat, toil, sweat, plague, sickness, and the horror of death. Alas, he also lost Paradise and Heaven, by the fault of disobedience: through the deceit of the serpent and the folly of the woman. Who too credulous was beguiled by the devil’s words in five ways in the five senses of the body: namely, through the listening to a lying discourse, through looking at a beautiful colour, through touching the fatal apple, through smelling a nice odour, and through tasting a sweet savour. But what is worse, having tasted the death-dealing food, she further seduced her husband by flattery and by giving him the unlawful fruit: forbidden them both under pain of death. But when this evil thing had been rashly done, God was angry and cast them forth guilty from the Paradise of pleasure: from the most pleasant and most restful spot of the whole world; and thrust them to do penance into the exile of this world as into a prison, to eat the bread of labour and sorrow all the days of their life: with all their children thereafter to be born of their seed. This war between the devil and man will last: as long as the human race walks upon the earth. And until the number of the elect be filled: the evil one ceases not to persecute the good, his adversaries. But nevertheless the loving and merciful Lord God compassionating fallen man: said to the serpent fatuous, envious and malicious: “I will put enmities between thee and the woman: and thy seed and her seed”; designating Christ to be born of a woman: and to redeem the human race. “She,” He said, “shall crush thy head: and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.” From these words we see the wickedness and malice of the devil against us: that we are not to believe him, or parley with him, or argue with him: because he is more cunning than all living things upon the earth: and more subtle than all who study in the schools and in the affairs of the world. Beware, novices, of the head of the serpent, the beginning of temptation: the poison of the snake lies hid under the grass: who often comes and deceives a child under the seeming of a beautiful apple rotten within. But he deceives not only the simple and laics but the learned also and famed masters and religious: suggesting to them divers vanities. He tempts almost every day by the five senses of the body: now enticing by the flesh: now lifting up by the spirit: now by making angry with wrath. Or likewise he makes men to quarrel for honours and riches: to rejoice in luxuries: or to be too much saddened in adversities and earthly losses. These are the works of the devil: who fell from the height of Heaven by pride. He made the children of Israel murmur for the fatigue and want of food in the desert: he persuaded the Jews to sacrifice to idols in the temple consecrated to God. He tempted Christ three times after a long fast: he sowed cockle among the wheat: a traitor among the apostles; a murmurer among the disciples: among the deacons a seducer, among the faithful a persecutor of the faith. He seduced Judas by theft: from theft he drew him to the noose: from the noose he dragged the miserable man to hell. There there is no redemption: nor any refreshment. Alas, all who consent to him he induces to sin against God and the neighbour: and after many evils he persuades to destroy themselves: to neglect Heaven and to love the world. Who is it that draws the monk to the world: and to the tumults of men? The devil the ensnarer of souls. Who is it that draws the cleric from the choir to the marketplace? The devil the forger of every guile: desirous of hindering the divine worship. Who is it that draws the lay-brother from labour to idleness and gossip? The devil going round the world, to find somebody wandering abroad: and toiling little or nothing for the community. Who holds down the slothful in bed: that called he may not immediately arise? The devil closing the eyes of the sleepy, that he may yet lie a little, and satisfy his drowsiness. For he rejoices over the lazy one: and him that often comes late. Who sows discords among the brethren: and begets many suspicions in them? The devil the disturber of peace, the inventor of wickedness, the father of lying, the concealer of truth, the author of guile, the encourager of partiality. Who teaches to love pleasures, to shun labours, to desire honours: to eat and drink well, to dress grandly? The devil the inciter of gluttony, the mover of wrath, the thief of chastity, the ensnarer of clerics, the tempter of monks, the harasser of virgins, the assaulter of the continent, the seducer of the innocent, the mocker of the simple, the overthrower of the wise, the detractor of the good, the praiser of the wicked, the hinderer of devotion, the procurator of dissipation. Let it not displease you to have noted these things of the wars and thousand arts and wiles of the devil: that you observe greater caution and more strict watch against every temptation and suggestion of his whatsoever. Because as it is said by many, and frequently experienced, the devil never ceases from the malice of doing harm: nor does he suffer others to rest: but where he himself does not come: he sends his fellows to vex the little sheep of Christ. And if he cannot carry off and is forbidden to slay: at least he strives to injure them by terrors. And if he sees one wandering, and idling from good work or study or prayer; he approaches the more freely to tempt him: because he has incautiously laid down the arms that resist the foe.
A third war is called the intestine struggle, which has arisen between the flesh and the spirit; the flesh lusting against the spirit from the penalty of sin: and the spirit struggling by reason against sensuality. This rebellion the first man had not felt in the state of innocence: because the spirit subject to God peacefully ruled the powers of the body by the curb of reason. But this intestine war is most cruel and most troublesome to us all begotten and born in corruptible and sinful flesh. For what is more cruel and troublesome to every man desiring peace: than daily to fight against himself, to struggle against nature, to restrain lust, to overcome concupiscence pricking within? O servant of God, O soldier of Christ: hear a counsel good and profitable to thee. Guard thy sight: close thy hearing: touch not the unlawful: flee the harmful. And if thou feelest the goad: give not consent. Nothing so toilsome as to begin anew; from morning unto evening to stand against the three battalions: to cast the darts of prayer at the enemy; to sound the sacred trumpets, to groan in the heart, to cry with the voice: frequently to doubt of the victory of triumph. Whence unless the Lord be nigh to us: our weakness shall never be able to resist such perils. An exceedingly heavy burden and an intricate war, to nurse the flesh, to nourish an enemy, to clothe, warm, wash, dry, caress it that it murmur not, chastise it that it rebel not: encourage it that it lose not hope, rebuke it that it grow not slothful, subdue it that it be not puffed up; strengthen it that it faint not, beat it that it resist not, instruct it that it err not, repress it that it grow not insolent: love its nature as a companion, but hate its lust as the snare of death. Finally, it is not lawful to kill the flesh: no man can rid himself of it; it is not beseeming to obey it, one must not too quickly believe it, it is not expedient to parley with it: it is generally hurtful to smile upon it. What then shall be done? Let the flesh serve the spirit, readily obey, toil, sweat, fast, rise, watch, pray, sing, and praise: until after brief labour it receive everlasting repose. This flesh therefore frail, mortal, full of concupiscence, unmastered, and often rebellious to the spirit, reason ought to rule and fear curb, dignity moderate, discipline restrain, righteousness adorn, modesty defend, sobriety temper, justise chastise when it sins: prudence instruct when it errs, discretion consider that there be naught excessive. The spirit therefore searching all things as an active pilot should carefully keep an eye on the carnal mind and youthful soul, lest it cleave to its own opinion; lest it grow slothful in leisure, or seek softness, or flee austerity: but that it quickly rise to prayer, come betimes to choir; pass readily to labour, shun idle wandering round: strictly keep silence, love the quiet of the cell; often pray, willingly study, willingly write: do each action at its due time, set the common interest before all private concerns: blush not to serve inferiors, hasten to obey superiors, joyously embrace every command; rejoice supremely to assist at the divine praises, prefer to be at leisure to God within: and deem it the better part to be entangled in no exterior affairs. Albeit then it be hard and troublesome to thee to war daily against the incentives of the flesh; nevertheless it is extremely virtuous and meritorious to resist concupiscence, and to do violence to nature: which is most viciously inclined to its own ease and the things that please it. And unless it be speedily withstood by abstention and restraint; it seduces the soul and draws it to consent: as Eve deceived Adam enticing him, and giving him the forbidden fruit to eat. In this warfare no man is overcome, unless corrupted by an evil will, and of his own accord turned away from God. For whosoever follows the desire of the flesh, quickly falls into vice unless be hold to the rein of reason. Beware then of the dangers in the daily conflict of the flesh: for as long as we live in this world eating, drinking, we are tempted in divers ways. Whence also a certain prophet, warns slothful and soft souls to watchfulness of conscience, saying: “From her that sleepeth in thy bosom: keep the doors of thy mouth.” That is, firmly restrain without all the senses of thy body; lest death enter by the windows of the body to the interior of the heart: and the devil ensnare thee with his nets.
Brothers, if you do manfully and strive, and call Christ to your aid; you can certainly merit much more in this war of the flesh: than if you felt no burden within you. Have therefore always a good trust in God: and cease not to pray, and to fight against vice. Many in truth and great goods are concealed in this combat: which give pleasure to God in the weak flesh. But you shall receive great rewards with a certain hope of glory to come from the just judge, even for the least grief of heart, and pain of body however slight. All burdens also borne for the love of Christ will rejoice your souls very much at the end of your life: as a certain devout sister being in her agony said: “Up to this it has been suffering, up to this it has been struggle: now comes the reward.” What more shall I say to them that fight against their flesh? All things whatsoever that you do by virtue of obedience, or that you endure in the Order for the strictness of discipline and the love of justice, shall be written in the book of life: although sometimes the flesh may complain ftom frailty. But if the devil move you with some indignation, or evil suspicion against a superior giving a command, or a brother not doing well, or speaking ill: do not therefore leave aside the good begun: but rather perfect what you have commenced for the honour of God and the edification of the neighbour. For then the most wicked ensnarer and hinderer of all good, the devil, will speedily fly from you: when he is scorned and not heeded. For all his whisperings of the world, of the flesh, of riches, of earthly glory: are full of poison and deceit. Many in old age now bewail: that in youth they acted so foolishly, and offended God. Stand then and fight for your soul: in religion and in a holy congregation. For whatever ill you suffer in toils and pains, in heat and cold, in watchings and fasts, in abstinence from flesh and white-meats, in want of wine and better drink for the destruction of vice and the acquisition of virtues: all this shall be reckoned unto you for the greatest gains and rewards in the kingdom of Christ above thousands of gold and silver, and all the desirable things of the world. For what more worthy: than to be the friend of God? what more happy than to be numbered among the children of God? What more rich; than to have part in the kingdom of Christ? What more pleasant: than to assist at the rejoicings of the angels? What more noble: than to be crowned in the presence of God and the sight of all the saints? O how delightful and joyous it will be to the soul combating and loving God, to be borne by the angels into Heaven: and with Lazarus once poor to be made glad in eternal repose, for the brief toil and slight pain suffered in the body; for the coarse clothing and tasteless food, for the hard bed and oft-interrupted sleep: for the tears shed and the devout prayers; for the holy meditations, and many other good exercises and sacred readings: accomplished in obedience and patience. O holy obedience and happy patience for Christ: which opens the gate of Heaven to him who is about to die.
A fourth war is called a domestic duel: which arose between two brothers german, exceedingly cruel and pernicious: by the instigation of the devil and the burning of envy. For as is read in the Book of Genesis, when two sons had been born to Adam, envious Cain rose up against his brother Abel, just and beloved of God: whose offerings are said to have been accepted by God. Whence cruelly moved in a wrath of fury, as a ravenous wolf he raged against the gentle lamb; and resolved to kill his innocent brother, better than himself: not fearing God, nor ashamed to sadden his parents: but excited by a malicious soul he stretched out his evil hands: and the first among men committed murder. From these two brothers quarrelling, many discords and partialities among men have arisen; in divers regions and places, in cities and towns, brawling with one another for primacy and wealth. From this occasion as rivalry everywhere increased, befell also the persecution of the wicked against the life of the just, as the holy histories of the saints show: and the divers chronicles of heathens and Christians contain, which treat fully of the wars of Trojans, Romans, and many kings and divers peoples. As it was from the beginning of the world between the sons of Adam, strife and struggle, jealousy and brawl; and especially between the miserly and the ambitious to have and increase earthly goods: so still in these days men quarrel for perishable things and vain honours. And it is to be feared that after us also these things will continue until the Lord shall come manifestly on the last day to judge all the ends of the earth. For then when Christ appears in His Majesty and glory: it shall be rendered to each man according to his works. Then all the strifes and wars of the wicked shall cease: and all scandals shall be taken away from the kingdom of God. Then shall the mouths of them that speak evil things be silent: and the bones of the saints that were humbled shall rejoice. Then shall be heard from the mouth of the just judge one final and irrevocable sentence: “Go ye cursed into everlasting fire: come ye blessed of My Father, possess ye the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” But meanwhile as long as one generation passeth away and another generation cometh: all things are mingled together in our earth, full of thorns and briars. Now joyous things come, now sad: now hunger torments, now thirst burns; now fear casts down, now hope lifts up: now toil wearies, now repose refreshes; now health delights, now sickness weakens: and after a short while overhanging death consumes all things beautiful and pleasant. In every place then, and state, and order, the good are found mingled with the bad; the gentle with the froward, the humble with the proud: the peaceful with the passionate, the devout with the dissolute; the bashful with the bold, the silent with the talkative: the sober with the gluttonous, the fervent with the lukewarm; the studious with the idle; the interior with the extern: the simple with the cunning, the truthful with the guileful; the provident with the careless, the learned with the ignorant; the prudent with the foolish, the strong with the weak: the constant with the instable, the modest with the wrangling: and so of many other vices and manners of men good and bad, according to that of Isaias the prophet: “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb; and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the lion and the sheep shall abide together: and a little child shall lead them.” But all these things both prosperous and contrary happen with the good and the bad alike in this life by divine permission: to manifest the secret judgements of God in all His ways: that the elect may be proved and the devout purified by means of the wicked; and may not take pride in the good things bestowed on them. The bad live with the good, that by the example of the good they may be aroused to the amendment of their morals: and may not have excuse through ignorance of good life and discipline: which they see in the good associated with them. Some are very inconstant: and are soon moved to hatred or love, by a slight word or action of another. They laugh for a frivolous story; and they are angry for a passing fly. Some for recreation seek men: and lose God and the saints. It is not a slight loss: to lose the grace of devotion through over-much talking. Some speak of the ill deeds of others: and neglect to correct their own shortcomings. Some speak beforehand of future wars upon earth: but it were better that they thought of the wars against vice and how to overcome them. If eternal goods and evils were taken to heart: all things of time would speedily vanish away. Those who are of the world speak of the world; and those who love Christ, think of heavenly things: and willingly discourse to others the heavenly things which they love. The foolish narrate things foolish and vain: and the light of heart willingly listen to frivolities. It is good, therefore, to be silent concerning frivolous things and uncertain happenings; and to commit to God all His secret judgements: without Whose Providence not even the leaf of a tree falls to the ground. Not without cause is the just oppressed: or the poor man robbed: or the guiltless slain. No man has wherewith justly to complain of God: for He disposes all things justly, wisely and providently: although Man does not understand the ways of His justice. For he who strongly sets his hope in God, stands well and shall not waver: however things may befall in this world. From whence then contentions and wars amongst men? Are they not from the concupiscence of the flesh and pride of the spirit? For the desire of money is the root of all evils. Which if it be not restrained: leads to innumerable ills. For when the good things desired are refused, or possessed are taken away: the soul becomes sad, the hidden passion of strife rises in the heart: and anger appears upon the countenance, and a hard word breaks from the mouth. In us then is the material of strife and the hotbed of discord; to wit, the desire of a thing, love of possessing, fear of losing, grief for a good lost. But the wicked and impatient man hurts himself more than others: and is harmed more by himself within, than by others without. Every passionate man is a burden to himself and a disturbance of heart: wherever he may be, whether alone or with many others. A constant and domestic strife is this of ours: for our flesh is not subject to the spirit according to the right reason of a good life; nor is the spirit perfectly submissive to God: according to His every will to please Him alone within, here and for ever. But the malicious devil cannot rest: and where he does not come himself, he sends a messenger secretly: to disturb the peace of others, or cunningly deceive them. For he either withdraws from good, or urges to evil: or suggests false for true: or makes the true doubtful. But he is deceived who believes him. What else has he to do: but to run about through the world and tempt men, and annoy the good? But those who trust in God, and speedily have recourse to prayer: are able by the help of Christ to break all his designs as spiders” webs: and ought to fear in naught the threats of the wicked. No one is more safe from the snares of temptations than the truly humble, the perfectly obedient, and poor pilgrim; who seeks no earthly ease: nor desires the goods of the world. Who is he and we will truly praise him? O how praiseworthy a virtue is humility: which escapes all the nets of the devil. How precious and beautiful the virtue of chastity: which overcomes the seductions of the flesh with all the pomps of the world. A great virtue is voluntary poverty: whereby Heaven is bought without money. A noble virtue patience: by which are overcome all the adversities of the world. A sublime virtue obedience: to which are often subject the elements and things that seem impossible to men.
AN EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE
There was a certain devout Prioress in the Order of Regulars once very ill of a fever. Compassionating whose sufferings a young sister even shed tears. Who secretly entering the choir, casting herself before the relics of the saints, prayed earnestly, that the mother might be cured: and she stricken with fever in her stead. And straightway so it was. For, her prayer finished, the young maiden began to be ill: and the Prioress the same day and subsequently recovered. But the most loving mother hearing that the young one is ill: called her, asking from her what she had done or eaten. Who answered: “I have eaten nothing evil. But I thought and asked the Lord that it would be better that I should be sick for you: and you should be well.” Then the devout mother with the good hope which she had in God said: “On the part of God I command thee by obedience: that thou be sick no longer.” And God hearing their prayers, gave them both health to the invocation, praise and honour of His name. Amen.
AN EXAMPLE OF PATIENCE
A certain Brother questioned a pilgrim coming from afar, saying: “Tell me, good friend, what good things have you heard and seen on the way?” He answered: “I have heard the patience of the poor praised enough by many: but I have seen it imitated by few.” “What more?” He said. “Amid delights I have found thorns; amid honours I have seen sorrows: and amid riches I have frequently found strifes, and great anxieties.” “Is anyone free from these ills?” Quoth he, sadly. “Very few in these days. And if there are many: I do not know them. Happy, therefore, the religious, who know how to be content with a little: and desire to be honoured, or praised by no man. For God shall be their reward. For seldom do I come across such an one, as does not grieve for his own loss: or complain for his neighbour. However, if peace is to be hoped for anywhere in this life: then the truly humble has it: who patiently bears wrongs and holds his peace.” He therefore who wishes to have peace, and a good conscience; let him forsake his own will for the love of God: and learn patiently to endure the injustice and contempt of men. For thus did Christ bearing for us the shameful cross: and obeying the Father even unto death.