NOVICES REGULAR He will save the humble of spirit.” If we were truly humble and willing to balance strictly the weight of our sins; we should find nothing un- bearable: we should say that we scarcely receive one for a thousand. For it behoved Christ to suffer, Who nevertheless did no sin: how much more us, miserable sinners, who daily in many things offend many: namely, God, the angels, the saints, and men. But God suffers many tribula- tions to fall upon His elect not to their repro- bation; but for the cleansing of sins, for the in- crease of merits, for a greater warning: and for the strengthening of their weakness by the virtue of patience.
Let each then set himself to patience, if he will have peace of heart: if he wishes to receive a crown of glory in Heaven, after the toil of his combat. This temporal life is full of stones and thorns; and therein the elect are exercised and tried by hardships: that they may the more eagerly long for the eternal goods. Behold God spares no man; but gives to each his own burden to bear: that he may have occasion to merit much. For some things come and tempt us on the right by flattery:-others on the left by blame; some meet us in face witha harsh countenance: others pierce us behind by the bite of detraction; some constrain us from above to labour: others froth up from below to ridicule, as the little boys with the holy Elisaeus. By these six winds the con- dition of the present life is buffeted: and every Christian assaulted whether religious or secular. Neither rich man nor poor, neither whole nor sickly: is without his burden. Each has enough to bear; and he who makes ready and bends his back for it: does wisely and will carry it more 59 4 Kings, 2.
x Thess. 5. 8.
SERMONS TO THE easily. But he who seeks to idle and amuse him- self with gossip; and wander through the offices and the meadows: he shall fall among robbers and fierce dogs; that is, on various temptations of the flesh, which destroy the grace of devotion: and pierce the conscience with many wounds.
Thus is a professed religious in the cloister: as a noble warrior in camp surrounded on all sides by the enemy. He cannot fly, he cannot give way to idleness: but he must watch and stand ever to arms against the snares and arrows of his foes. For unless the soldier of Christ be girded with the girdle of chastity and defended on all sides by the shield of patience: speedily he is either disturbed, or cast down, or wounded. Stand therefore in the fear of God and prepare yourselves to fight against your passions and the vexations of men and wicked tongues; for you will always have some adversary, now this one, now that: according as God suffers to humble you lest you grow proud in good: and by vainglory lose all. But if you bear with your adversaries humbly and patiently; you shall be acceptable to God, and made like to the holy martyrs in suffering: and in the heavenly kingdom most glorious and sublime. It is utterly necessary that humility go before glory: and patience make ready with many blows the crown for the victors. For without patience and struggle and toil: vain is the hope of heavenly reward. Put you on therefore, beloved brethren, as blessed Paul saith, the breastplate of faith, doubting not of the help of God: recalling amid distresses for your supreme comfort the divine promises: and place your whole hope in God and not in men; for men often deceive and are deceived in their opinions and devices: they meditate vain things and speak foolish; they 60 60 NOVICES REGULAR look not to the future judgements: nor fear God as they should.
Be especially on your guard against passionate men and deceitful, against dissolute and jesting companions; lest you learn to gossip and laugh with the frivolous: who walk by pleasant ways to evil hospices. But let your conversation be with the simple and humble, with the meek and devout; that from them you may receive spiritual conso- lation: and make more and more progress in virtue. Patience and fortitude are exceedingly necessary to you: who are in religion and stand under obedience. And so obey with a willing soul and a full heart: and strive to follow the good advice of seniors: although at times the things which they command seem hard and base. As therefore from every side assaults threaten to attack your weakness; so there are very great rewards set in the right hand of God: to be ren- dered to you for your much patience in all your tribulations. Encourage yourselves therefore to bear all: and cast not away the burdens which merit everlasting joys.
For from superiors it behoves you often to en- dure correction for your excesses: because it is better to be purged here than hereafter. But also it is most safe to obey their commands for God’s sake: if you will be most happily crowned with the elect. Submit yourselves therefore freely to their ordering; that they may guide you by a safer way and a shorter distance amid so many foes and perils: to the harbour of salvation, with- out a murmur or any sinister suspicion.
From inferiors it behoves you to bear their defects both of conduct and of body, the which is 61 SERMONS TO THE a work of piety; and sometimes to suffer also derision: which is a sign of mildness.
On the right it behoves you to take careful heed lest you be beguiled by flattery and vain praise; lest you deem yourselves holy and just: or lift your hearts above that which is said. Often empty praise harms: soft words deceive light souls: as the snarer sweetly discoursing on his flute beguiles and captures the birds. Therefore seek not but shun honour or praise from men: lest you lose the full reward with God for foolish fables. Many praise to the face: behind the back they relate defects. He who looks into his own conscience: does not value or desire the praises of men.
On the left it behoves you to exercise great caution; that you be not troubled by those, who blame your actions, scoffing, denouncing, and giving an evil sense to the good: that you be not impatient in heart, or answer harshly in words; because perchance they wish to prove you by reproaches: whether you are truly humble and patient in adversity.
From in front it behoves you to consider with whom you speak, with whom you stand and walk: of what manner are your neighbours and comrades in their conduct, words and actions: lest haply you be seduced and infected by bad example through dissipation and licence most harmful to the young. For often after light jesting there comes the sorrow of a saddened conscience: according to the proverb of Solomon: “ Mournin taketh hold of the end of joy: and laughter shall be mingled with sorrow.” You must not believe every word: nor soon carry further what you have heard. For all things are not edifying: nor is it expedient to know the secrets of others. Often 62 NOVICES REGULAR lies are narrated as true: which things draw the hearers away from heavenly desires. Refrain then from trifles and jests, which hinder godly pursuits; dull the understanding, distract the memory: and disturb the peaceful with unfounded suspicions.
From behind it behoves you also to keepa watch- ful eye; and to think not a little beforehand of perils to come: to wit, what trials might befall you through those whom now you hold as your friends. Make ready then your back to bear every issue of ill; to wash away past sins; to shun present amusements: and to lessen the future pains of Purgatory. For the reproaches, detrac- tions, accusations and ridicule of men patiently received: are an excellent medicine for the health of the soul: justly inflicted by a most just God on sinners. The sharp reproof of words then will not harm if you are well-disposed and guiltless: for a harsh word is profitable for the correction of the dissipated. ‘ You have now heard from the above in how many dangerous combats you are engaged, and what great good you may merit if you fight man- fully. Be not therefore slack, nor lose courage because of the multitude of the enemy: but with religious anxiety strive ever to make progress unto better and more fervent practice; so that by longanimity and patience in virtues and many labours you may attain eternal repose, safe from all evils: when our Lord Jesus Christ shall bestow upon you through the intercession of His holy martyrs the crown of eternal life you have long desired. Amen.
63 SERMONS TO THE SERMON XI ae OF THE DAILY MarTyRDOM AND WARFARE IN THE RELIGIOUS STATE =a] ECAUSE for Thy sake we are killed all t) 4| the day long: we are counted as sheep )) }| for the slaughter. Beloved brother, note 2 &) well these words just read in your hear- ing: hich long before your birth were most wholesomely uttered for your instruction by the prophet in the psalm. Blessed be God Who has called you from the present wicked world in which many are endangered soul and body: pursuing the desires of the flesh and fleeting honours. See your vocation then to this Congregation prepared by God: wherein you can merit in a short time with little labour life eternal. Behold you have entered religion, you have freely renounced your own; and in a.certain manner you are dead to the world: or you should deem yourselves as dead and buried. For this your habit shows without, and the report has gone abroad of you: that you are not of the world, but all sons of God on high. For men in the world often say of religious per- sons: “*He who serves God mocks the whole world: and he does very wisely. He assures him- self of Heaven: and he has no fear of hell.” Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: lest the envy of the devil again entice you; and drag you with him to eternal punish- ment through the softness of the flesh. It is cer- tainly a great toil to struggle daily against passions and vices: but rewards exceeding great are pro- mised to them that overcome. Think over the words which are so heartily sung in our church 64 NOVICES REGULAR NOVICES REGULAR of the holy martyrs for their praise and as a memorial to obtain their suffrages: the sweetness of which ought to touch the depths of our heart: and arouse our lukewarmness to bear for Christ at least a few contradictions. For thus do we often recite at Vespers: ‘‘The saints of God had a mighty conflict: they passed through fire and water, and they have been saved.” O beloved brethren, who stand in religion under obedience: if you faithfully fulfill what you have vowed, you are martyrs: and still you can become so by daily suffering. For so often shall you receive new crowns and precious jewels for your combat: as often as you present the different members of your body to daily labours for Christ. And if you abandon your own will, and strongly resist your sensuality: you shall receive great consolation from God within. Every religious living in obe- dience ready to crush his own will, and humbly endeavouring to obey his superior: he truly be- comes a martyr in spirit: although he be not struck on the neck with the material sword. And whoever gives himself to perfect mortification the whole day, that is, the whole time of his life, _ obeying from a simple heart, he imitates Abraham: who refused not to offer as a holocaust, to bind and to slay his only beloved son Isaac, We read also of the holy martyrs that by divers kinds of torments they attained the kingdom of Heaven: who did not choose according to their own liking what species of torture or death they should suffer; but they committed themselves utterly to the divine ordering: they presented with constancy body and soul to their Creator to endure all things. When therefore any of you hears a command dis- tasteful to him imposed by the superior, and never- Note.
SERMONS TO THE theless is ready to obey: if then also he strives to do himself violence, and restrains and stifles the rising complaint; then he offers a most agreeable sacrifice to God on the altar of his heart: and with the martyrs being made victorious over himself gloriously triumphs over the enemy. For many martyrs were violently dragged to prison, and there were bound with most cruel iron chains: yea, also were abandoned to lie without food and drink, without light and any solace from man, in filth and the fear of death. And nevertheless they remained constant in the faith of Christ, and strove to give thanks to God in their pains: for that they merited to suffer reproaches and torments for His name. Looking upon these examples do not give way in adversities, and complain of too great poverty: nor because of the severity of discipline flee from the battle before the end of the victory. They worthily merit to be crowned: who lawfully struggle and persevere. Most light is all the fatigue of our penance in comparison of the suffer- ings and abstinence of the holy martyrs: and in consideration of the pains of hell.
You have often heard in the torments of the martyrs, that they were tortured in divers mem- bers: and after most grievous pains were deprived of the same members, then given to most ferocious beasts to be devoured: or even thrown into burn- ing flames. You have not yet, brethren, expe- rienced these things: you have not yet been thus tried or proved: not yet thus tortured and beaten: not yet thus derided, or filled with reproaches: not yet driven from your houses in nakedness and shame, and publicly dragged through the streets. You have not yet resisted temptations unto the shedding of blood: nor suffered a hand or a foot to 66 NOVICES REGULAR be cut off for faith and chastity. But if you often faint in the very small sufferings for Christ which befall in religion: how could you bear greater in persecution? For there are many things wherein you can try your fortitude although you shed not blood: nor resist even to the mutilation of your limbs. The holy martyrs presented their members to most grievous torments: you must chastise your body in many fastings and watches, in silence and toil, lest it grow insolent. For he who receives and endures every bitter for sweet, every coarse- ness for beauty, every sorrow for joy: this one truly drinks the chalice of the Lord with the mar- tyrs; and in the sufferings to come he shall not fear to be burned: but he shall supremely rejoice to be associated in the choirs of the saints. You must choose one of these: either to burn for ever with the demons for small pleasures: or for a slight abstinence, enjoy everlasting glory with the holy angels. And because the martyrs had in mind the never-ending torments: therefore they bore easily transitory evils: and preferred to enter by the narrow way to the broad realms of Heaven. Every one in the Order living religiously and de~ voutly in his state, can gain the palm of mar- tyrdom: if he struggles bravely against his vices, if he prays for his adversaries and detractors: if he earnestly keeps his chastity unspotted: if he observes obedience even unto death after the ex- ample of Christ: if he always desires to have rather less than more of all earthly things and of the necessaries of this life: if in all he seeks the good pleasure of God and forsakes his own will. Note. For holy voluntary poverty is reckoned as a mar- Poverty. tyrdom: and therefore as to martyrs so also to the poor the kingdom of Heaven is promised and Matth. s. 3.
67 SERMONS TO THE given by the Lord. When therefore silence is en- joined on one talkative and dissolute, that he speak not to outsiders or to a brother; then the tongue prone to gossip is bound as by a cord: and curbed in silence that it harm not another. And indeed it is better for many that are wordy modestly to keep silence for peace of conscience: rather than from here and there piece together stories of life in the world. And when to a rest- less man word is given to remain in the cloister, or to dwell quietly in his cell: then his feet by a pious violence are set as it were in the stocks; and thus the fickle heart is compelled to return to the way of salvation: according to that word of Luke, r4.21, the Lord: “Go out quickly into the streets and “he lanes of the city: and compel them to come in.” Alas, how many by wandering abroad have per- ished: how many obeying their curiosity have added nothing to their holiness. O how many have been brought back by the rod of the supe- rior to the keeping of their conscience and a good life: and have made a virtue of necessity. When the curious man closes his eyes, that he may not behold the vanities of the world: then he receives a reward with the saints: whose eyes were blinded by tyrants. When an idler is forced to toil: then he is dragged by hands and feet to the place of martyrdom; and if he obeys in all that is enjoined him: he shall be recompensed with the martyrs whose hands were fettered with chains, and whose feet were hung in the rack. The good obedient brother then ought to reflect that he has not com- mand over his own body, but the superior: to whom he has freely resigned himself for God’s sake: to go and do what he shall order for the salvation of his soul. For thus shall he gain the 68 NOVICES REGULAR palm of patience with the martyrs: and the crown of life eternal. By the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who reigneth for ever and ever. Amen.
SERMON XII @¢ Or THE Wisdom or CoNFESSORS AND THE ConrTINENCE OF RELIGIOUS Sy) HE mouth of the just shall meditate Roaiye| wisdom: and his tongue shall speak ee t| judgement. Beloved brethren, these ied) words are wont to be chanted of Con- fessors and Doctors: whom we ought to honour with a special devotion, and earnestly implore their suffrages: that strenuously imitating their virtues, we may merit after the course of the present life is accomplished to attain their fellow- ship. Therefore if we cannot bear most grievous and varied kinds of tortures with the holy martrys; let us endeavour in the measure of our strength to live in holy religion, humbly, patiently, and continently with the Confessors and Hermits: as they also pleased God, macerating the flesh by . many long watchings and fasts. For the prophet in the verse of the psalm quoted describes, what is the manner of life of the just man who is pleasing to God: and how happy is his end, who shall have remained steadfast in his holy purpose. For the life of the just man and the good religious is usually remarked, and especially praised for cer- tain characteristics; to wit, that he have his mouth shut against evil, his tongue learned in good: his heart at rest from disturbance, devout in prayer, suspended in contemplation: that he do good work with a right intention towards God: and that he 69 SERMONS TO THE be without evil suspicion towards his neighbour. And who desires to have these things, let him set the law of God in his heart: let him often meditate, willingly hear and read the sacred words: but of worldly things be silent, only of those things that belong to the salvation of the soul take the fullest care: cast away anxieties that do not concern him, indulge no time in idleness; but either pray, or study, or toil: that thereby he may be able as a faithful servant daily to increase the talent of good work. Let him learn before he teaches; and choose rather to be silent than to speak: if he wishes to become wise. Let his words be few and profitable: let him utter each with modesty: let him shun appearing before the great: let him arrange all his actions and discourses with the fear of God: as to be judged by Him, if he offend in aught. It is safer therefore and better that a man hold his peace: who knows not how to speak duly. If any inexperienced desire to have divine wisdom, let him spurn the delights of the flesh, let him keep strict watch over his outward senses, lest he drink in the vanities of the world: let him turn himself to inner things, let him examine his shortcomings: let him search his conscience every day, lament his guilt, leave naught un- punished; sigh for the things of Heaven, fear the judgement to come: deem the present life a prison, feel it a penalty to be away from Christ; consider it a great sorrow not to be assisting in the choirs of the saints: covet to possess nothing in this world, that he may have a heart ever free: esteem all temporal joy mourning: and for the desire of eternity reckon all plenty of goods poverty. The dissipated and talkative man knows not these in- terior sentiments: and he who ambitions honours: 70 NOVICES REGULAR shall never find true wisdom. Blessed therefore that religious in whose heart the law of God reposes: whose mouth meditates the wisdom of the saints, not the folly of the world: whose learned tongue treats right judgement in every case, lest it utter anything in vain as to the wind; whose good works ever aim at the good-pleasure of God: whose steps within and without are ever directed in ac- ~ cordance with the divine teaching. It belongs therefore to a wise and spiritual man to discern the true from the false: vice from virtue, the neces- sary from the superfluous, the honourable from the scandalous: the bright from the dark, the expedi- ent from the unlawful, the private from the public: the twisted from the upright, the just from the perverse, and the simple from the cunning: the innocent from the feigned and deceitful. Whence the Lord by the prophet Jeremias says in praise of the just man: “If thou shalt separate the pre- cious from the vile: thou shalt be as My mouth.” God is truthful and just, and He hath loved justice: His countenance hath beheld righteousness. And therefore He seeks and loves such: as walk before Him in truth. Their steps shall not be supplanted by the adversary the devil; nor by the flatteries of the world, nor by their own concupiscences: nor are they seduced by the praise or the blame of others. For the right hand of God guards under His wing them that walk in simplicity of heart: and all that they say and do shall profit them unto very great merit, and an everlasting reward. Which when they have happily attained: there will be naught for them to desire further. For blessed are all, who shall be worthy to be present in the kingdom of God and to feast and rejoice with Christ; for that they have loved i Ps, to. 8.
SERMONS TO THE Christ in their life: and have reckoned as base all earthly things.
Beloved brethren, imitate the humble life of Jesus Christ, as also did the holy Confessors: among whom were many noble and wealthy men, who long led a life truly godly and austere in abstinence from meats, in want of wheat, wine and oil and other pleasant foods: crucifying their weak flesh with its vices and concupiscences, not for the sake of the praise of men: but to satisfy unto God for their sins by fervent penance. These striving against the temptations of the devil and the honours of the world unto death: at length accomplished the course of their life in a happy end, Although therefore these did not endure in their body the sword of tyrants, or burning fire, or the tearing of beasts, or other dreadful tor- ments: nevertheless they waged a most mighty warfare and a daily martyrdom in their spirit; embracing in preference to all the treasures of the world a life chaste, humble, lowly, interior, de- vout, kind, patient, sober, modest, poor and hidden: and therefore they worthily merited to have eternal crowns. If therefore you seek true wisdom, and desire to possess a peaceful life pleasing to God and agreeable to men, then give yourselves to true humility of heart, as it is written: ‘‘ Where humility is: there is wisdom.” This wisdom the world hates, the devil attacks; the flesh abhors, the fool derides: the proud man spurns, the passionate persecutes. For a humble and chaste life is more pleasing to God: than deep knowledge: and a good and pure conscience is more to be desired: than subtle and wordy eloquence. Simple obedience also is much better: than a clever excuse of the mouth. The keeping of silence is more profitable: 72 NOVICES REGULAR than extorted permission to speak. For God pro- tects the simply obedient: and He often suffers the cunning to come to a foolish end. It is no small prudence, to give heed to oneself: and to humble oneself under every creature: for God humbled Himself for man even to the lowest de- gree of earth, that He might convert sinners: and draw the penitent by true humility to the heights of Heaven, and make them blessed for ever. Many learned philosophers and great in their own eyes, have neglected the path of saving prudence, or have not known it: and departing from the humility of Christ have wandered from the truth: and have hardly been able to attain contempt of the world. Many masters also drawing the science of God and the knowledge of the virtues from long study, preach excellently well of humility and chastity, of contempt of the world and holy religion and obedience; who nevertheless held back by the love of the world barely follow Christ from afar: and, as the saying goes, do not attempt to touch with a finger the burden which they praise. So noble a virtue is humility: that often the proud and worldlings praise it. And so laudable is the virtue of chastity; that even the incontinent grandly extol it: and to their own shame honour it with meet praise. And this certainly is from God: Who glorifies His most faithful lovers and chaste and humble servants in the present where they are strangers and pilgrims; whom in the dwelling of the blessedness to come, He intends. to rejoice with a fuller glory for all the confusion which they have endured. Whoever then lives continently, and keeps his senses under the regular discipline within and without; he shall be justly called a Confessor of the Lord: because 73