NOVICES REGULAR perienced, and especially of our prelates and ancients: who have the knowledge of the scrip- tures, and experience of dangers from themselves and many others. For often the devil with malicious instinct: beguiles the devout even under the ap- pearance of good. Let no one therefore be head- strong 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: ex- pose 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 isa 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 inten- tion 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.
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SERMONS TO THE 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 sucha 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 coun- sel; and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done.”
An ExAMPLE There were two Devout Brothers in the Deven- ter 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.
NOVICES REGULAR SERMON XVIII ee OF THE SprriruaAL WARFARE AGAINST VICES : Gh Ri] seditions: be not terrified. Beloved f| brethren, in this life we are in the Lee £ aint] midst of enemies: and from all sides the war to be waged against vices presses on us. Daily we are tempted and attacked: now indeed softly, at another time bitterly, but always perilously and wickedly: the devil everywhere laying snares and harassing us. For no man living is wholly free from temptations and dis- turbances as long as the spirit bides in the body: but everyone is forced even against his will to bear the burden of the day and the heats. Let no one therefore grow slothful in idleness; let no one think of departing from the camp of God: let no one lay down his arms before the end of the war. Let the new soldier be girded with a new sword to combat in fervour of spirit against the wicked- ness of the devil; let him fight bravely with the two-edged sword: having together the fear and the love of God in his mind: seeking the retire- ment of prayer: shunning above all publicity and sloth. For no man shall be crowned in Heaven: unless he has lawfully striven against his passions and vices in this world. The new sword is the fresh fervour of holy devotion; which at the be- ginning of conversion is often given by a loving illumination of the Holy Ghost to new soldiers: to enable them to battle bravely against the tempta- tions to come. Let the novice then take diligent heed that he lose not the grace of devotion by being infected with sloth; but at all times let him HEN you shall bear of wars and Luke, 21. 29.
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SERMONS TO THE make himself ready for the spiritual combat: and often pray: that he may be one of the chosen servants of Abraham, who overcame his foes armed by faith and prayer. Let him often sharpen his sword renewing his first purpose which he under- took; now meditating on the Passion of the Lord: now on the combats and bloody wounds of the martyrs: now on the flames of the eternal fire, now on the great horror of the demons: now on the unbearable stench of the pitch and sulphur, now on the lamentable crying of the damned: now on the despair of all salvation. These things, if they come to the mind, shake off sloth: repress the concupiscence of the flesh; consume the rust of vices, reprove negligence: and mightily enkindle to spiritual progress, and the fervour of devotion. Let every lukewarm religious then fear exceed- ingly: let the wanderer and the dissipated restrain himself: lest he come to that place of torments, where there is no issue, nor room for mercy. But now in the time of grace, let him strive to amend his past negligences: let him cleanse the secret of his heart by humble confession and devout prayer: let him recollect himself by holy reading and frequent compunction of heart: let him curb lightness of words, by the keeping of silence; let him bring back the tranquillity of internal peace, by the forgetfulness of exterior affairs: let him drive out the inrushing filth of evil thoughts, by the pure meditation of heavenly things; and to appease the anger of God more speedily: let him hold to true humility. These things appertain to manly and warlike beginners; who because of the three battalions of the enemy are bidden to stand to arms: and strenuously combat all their life _ against the flesh, the world and the devil.
NOVICES REGULAR.
It behoves then to fight with the help of God by being instant in prayer: by refraining from delicacies, patiently bearing adversities, as did all the saints, and especially the martyrs of Christ: who striving most bravely overcame their foes by gently enduring: and after many insults and tor- ments, guiltlessly dying. They heeded not friends and relatives according to the flesh: nor temporal riches and honours; but the meriting of eternal rewards, heavenly treasures, triumphal crowns: and unfading glory. For by transitory torments: they deserved to pass without delay to everlasting joys. Now their souls rejoice in Heaven: who followed Christ’s footsteps in reproaches and most grievous pains.
The holy confessors also strove, living soberly, justly and piously: often fasting, watching, pray- ing, meditating, studying: groaning, weeping, supplicating for their own and others’ sins: bear- ing contumely, detractions, mockery, murmuring, threats, exactions, losses and wrongs: persevering in a right faith, firm hope and perfect charity even unto death.
The holy and grave doctors of holy Church strove also, disputing against heretics and divers errors, zealously preaching the word of God; writing, studying, dictating books: raising ques- tions, solving doubts, throwing light on the obscure; rebuking vices, proposing a saving doctrine, urg- ing men to the godly and profitable; warning the simple from curious, intricate and fruitless side- issues: arousing the slothful, reproving the hard- ened: consoling the sad, strengthening the weak: and daily showing others a good example of life: so that what they could not persuade by words: they affirmed by holy actions.
The Mar- tyrs, The Con- fessors.
The Doctors.
The Her- mits and Monks.
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SERMONS TO THE The holy hermits and monks, and the professed of divers Orders also strove, renouncing the world: spurning the vanities of the world and the delights of the flesh, treading under foot temporal glory and honour: fleeing the tumult of men, loving solitude: forsaking their own, taking up their cross: chastising their body by abstinence, curb- ing the tongue by silence: shunning wanderings and discourses, doing themselves violence day after day: freely submitting themselves to the yoke of holy obedience, strictly living in the cloister under the regular discipline: imitating the apos- tolic perfection and for Christ’s sake giving them- selves to daily crucifixion: combatting with a per- fect heart all inordinate affections and their own motions: keeping back nothing to themselves of all things dear, utensils, books or clothing. There is nothing in sooth more perfect, more wholesome, more profitable, more praiseworthy, more secure and more restful unto having a good conscience and peace of heart: than that the religious, de- vout to God and a professed monk, should every hour without contradiction, without delay, with- out dislike, readily and willingly obey his supe- rior: bravely overcoming himself, humbly sub- mitting, patiently bearing things burdensome and bitter. To keep this way of perfection is required a great struggle, against the inclination of sen- suality, against the prudence of one’s own opinion, against one’s evil habit and the licence of the flesh, which will be subjected, ruled and restrained by others unwillingly: but seeks rather to wander, to enjoy and to amuse itself. For these things are very contrary to the law God and reason and the common peace of the brethren: and the good government of the cloister. Wherefore the simple NOVICES REGULAR obedient brother will be reckoned very praise- worthy and truly lovable: who with cheerful coun- tenance and willing heart is ready to serve all after the example of Jesus Christ: keeping the law of life and discipline for the salvation of his soul in the Order of Regulars. Again very culp- able and blameworthy is the cunning brother, abounding in his own sense; who does not humbly obey his superior: showing him reverence and submission. Wo to him who unwillingly or with feigned heart obeys: and murmurs from slight cause, This one Christ, obeying His Father, sternly rebukes, and often is wont severely to punish in the present life. For He says to the rulers of the church: “ He that heareth you, heareth Me: and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me.” What therefore he said to the apostles, this He says likewise to their successors and to other prelates: this He addresses to superiors of monasteries also: bidding subjects obey them for God’s sake, for the sake of great merit, and good example: for He will give grace and glory to all who are obe- dient: but to the disobedient and perverse con- fusion and punishment everlasting.
For the man truly obedient and submissive to the higher powers ordained by God: is compared to a wise merchant; who in every place and money market thinks of increasing his gain, and guarding against losses: endeavours to buy of good value, and not to be ensnared with worthless articles. So also the religious bound by the chain of obedience ought to think and strive in every work and business committed to him; to act faith- fully, overlooking naught that pleases God: and that the superior entrusts to him. For then es- pecially he makes progress in good, and enlarges Luke, ro. 16, The Virgins.
SERMONS TO THE his merit: if spurning the visible things of the world, he aims at the heavenly: if he deems it gain to his soul beyond all wealth to be submissive to the beck of another. For the fruit of obedience is better: than the thought carefully worked out of one’s own prudence. And much more fruitful is the will forsaken for God’s sake: than long study and perfect psaltery. Blessed therefore the religious of whatsoever Order and state: who fol- lows Christ now by the cross and violence to the flesh always ready to obey: because in the end at his death he shall receive with the holy con- fessors a special reward in Heaven: as Christ promises and says in these words: “ Well done, thou good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things: enter into the joy of thy Lord.” Let not then a man base and ignorant, dust and ashes to be, disdain to subject himself and obey a man who gives wholesome advice; when an angel obeys an angel indicating anything to him by a mere sign, and holy Gabriel sent by God immediately comes to announce to Mary the incarnation of Christ. But this is more to be ad- mired, and is set before us all as an example; that God obeyed man, served, and humbly bowed Himself to things lowly and base: that it might not be burdensome to anyone, however great, learned, or noble, to obey a greater, or even an equal or a lesser: since Christ did all this before him. For He obeyed Joseph and His Mother, leaving the Temple and the doctors, where He could have favour and honour: and He went down with His parents to Nazareth, and was subject to them: where He remained long unknown to many friends how great He was.
The holy virgins also and the continent widows NOVICES REGULAR bravely strove against their foes: who in the love of Jesus Christ overcame the vanities of the world and the pleasures of the flesh and the temptations of the devil in a tender age and weak sex: con- tinuing in prayers, watchings and fasts, shunning worldly company and useless discourses, chastis- ing their bodies, refraining from all superfluous adornment; desiring to please God alone with sincere mind and chaste body, daily preparing themselves by holy desires and interior sighs, for the heavenly nuptials; beautifying as with white flowers the bridal chamber of the heart by devout meditations, hymns, psalms, washing away the stains of the conscience with contrition and con- fession: and panting unceasingly with sighing and burning love for the presence of the heavenly and invisible Spouse. O sacred trophy of virgins; brave bands of maidens, widows and noble ma- trons: who for the sake of the love of the heavenly Spouse, and to preserve the beauty of angelic purity, despised earthly nuptials, the love of men, the patrimony of parents, the comfort of children, the banquets of acquaintance; the ornaments of dress, the splendour of gems, abundance of plate, _ gold rings, silver goblets, divers furniture, silk tapestry, painted chairs, the ministry of servants, the attendance of maids, the music of instruments; the sight of games, and all the pleasures of worldly joys: which this vain and frivolous world presents and flaunts before the eyes of the unwise. For these things have profited and do profit nothing to their lovers: who rejoice in perishable and foolish things, full of deceits and sorrows. Happy therefore the band of holy virgins; who strove for eternal life to reject as dung all the joys of this world and bodily adornments: and SERMONS TO THE desired rather to be made happy with the angels and archangels in heavenly glory. O truly happy assembly of maidens, who abided constant in their station: and even to the shedding of blood resisted vices and the laws of tyrants. Therefore most beautiful crowns in Heaven adorned with precious gems and jewels: have they merited to receive with glorious praise from Christ for the victory of their combat. For who can ever worthily and fully unfold, what distresses they often endured in their heart: what temptations in the flesh: what suggestions from the demons they felt in prayer: who urged them to the pleasures of the world away from the chastity of Christ. Alas, what counsels Satan devised by the persuasions of friends: by the flattery of matrons, by manifold mockery also and terrors: to seduce them and draw them with him through fleeting delights to infernal pains. But by the pity and help of Christ their Maker, the wiles of the devil prevailed naught against the maiden battalions; nor the clamour of wicked men, nor the blows of tyrants: nor the weapons threatening death. Because the love of Christ stronger than all armour, nobler than all honour, lovelier than all beauty, sweeter than all melody: so mightily burned in the virgin hearts and female hosts armed with the sign of the cross; that they feared to suffer neither flames nor blows, nor beasts, nor prisons, nor hunger, nor death: in order to preserve an unshaken faith and the gem of chastity in a pure heart and body to be crowned with perpetual honour in Heaven. These combats then of the blessed martys, and long and hard abstinence of the holy confessors, and espe- cially the chastity, patience and perseverance of the sacred virgins you ought to place before you to NOVICES REGULAR be imitated: and to arm yourselves mantully to resist vices and passions. I exhort all in charity: that for a shield in the combat you neglect not the intercession of the saints; that you faint not in your temptations: by the gift of Our Lord Jesus Christ the Rewarder of all the good. Amen.
SERMON XIx @e OF THE Divers Wars AND PERILS OF THIS LIFE Gr|HE flesh lusteth against the spirit, and n| the spirit against the flesh: for these Veet) are contrary one to another. Beloved Zweatied) 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 persua- sion 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 rush- ing 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 SERMONS TO 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 consumma- tion 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 NOVICES REGULAR speedily flies to Christ and prays: will be de- livered 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. Neverthe- less 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 ignor- ant of his devices.” However, hear a little concern- ing 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 dis- covered 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 The war of the angels.
Luke, to.
Apoc, 12.
SERMONS TO THE 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 swell- ing of pride exalted himself too high vainly glorying, and raising his throne above the rest: by ajust 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 Jightning falling from Heaven.” Of whose terrible lot, and irreparable fall: blessed John the evan- gelist 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 everlast- ing 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 NOVICES REGULAR NOVICES REGULAR 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.”