Nineteenth Chapter
Of the exercises of a religious man
The life of a Christian ought to be adorned with all virtues,
that he may be inwardly what he outwardly appeareth unto men.
And verily it should be yet better within than without, for
God
is a discerner of our heart, Whom we must reverence with all
our
hearts wheresoever we are, and walk pure in His presence as
do
the angels. We ought daily to renew our vows, and to kindle
our
hearts to zeal, as if each day were the first day of our
conversion, and to say, "Help me, O God, in my good
resolutions,
and in Thy holy service, and grant that this day I may make a
good beginning, for hitherto I have done nothing!"
2. According to our resolution so is the rate of our
progress,
and much diligence is needful for him who would make good
progress. For if he who resolveth bravely oftentimes falleth
short, how shall it be with him who resolveth rarely or
feebly?
But manifold causes bring about abandonment of our
resolution,
yet a trivial omission of holy exercises can hardly be made
without some loss to us. The resolution of the righteous
dependeth more upon the grace of God than upon their own
wisdom;
for in Him they always put their trust, whatsoever they take
in
hand. For man proposeth, but God disposeth; and the way of a
man is not in himself.(1)
3. If a holy exercise be sometimes omitted for the sake of
some
act of piety, or of some brotherly kindnesss, it can easily
be
taken up afterwards; but if it be neglected through distaste
or
slothfulness, then is it sinful, and the mischief will be
felt.
Strive as earnestly as we may, we shall still fall short in
many
things. Always should some distinct resolution be made by us;
and, most of all, we must strive against those sins which
most
easily beset us. Both our outer and inner life should be
straitly examined and ruled by us, because both have to do
with
our progress.
4. If thou canst not be always examining thyself, thou canst
at
certain seasons, and at least twice in the day, at evening and
at
morning. In the morning make thy resolves, and in the evening
inquire into thy life, how thou hast sped to-day in word,
deed,
and thought; for in these ways thou hast often perchance
offended
God and thy neighbour. Gird up thy lions like a man against
the
assaults of the devil; bridle thine appetite, and thou wilt
soon
be able to bridle every inclination of the flesh. Be thou
never
without something to do; be reading, or writing, or praying,
or
meditating, or doing something that is useful to the
community.
Bodily exercises, however, must be undertaken with
discretion,
nor are they to be used by all alike.
5. The duties which are not common to all must not be done
openly, but are safest carried on in secret. But take heed
that
thou be not careless in the common duties, and more devout in
the
secret; but faithfully and honestly discharge the duties and
commands which lie upon thee, then afterwards, if thou hast
still
leisure, give thyself to thyself as thy devotion leadeth
thee.
All cannot have one exercise, but one suiteth better to this
man,
and another to that. Even for the diversity of season
different
exercises are needed, some suit better for feasts, some for
fasts. We need one kind in time of temptations, and others in
time of peace and quietness. Some are suitable to our times
of
sadness, and others when we are joyful in the Lord.
6. When we draw near the time of the great feasts, good
exercises
should be renewed, and the prayers of holy men more fervently
besought. We ought to make our resolutions from one Feast to
another, as if each were the period of our departure from
this
world, and of entering into the eternal feast. So ought we to
prepare ourselves earnestly at solemn seasons, and the more
solemnly to live, and to keep straightest watch upon each
holy
observance, as though we were soon to receive the reward of
our
labours at the hand of God.
7. And if this be deferred, let us believe ourselves to be as
yet
ill-prepared, and unworthy as yet of the glory which shall be
revealed in us at the appointed season; and let us study to
prepare ourselves the better for our end. Blessed is that
servant, as the Evangelist Luke hath it, whom, when the Lord
cometh He shall find watching. Verily I say unto you He will
make him ruler over all that He hath.(2)
(1) Jeremiah x. 23. (2) Luke xii. 43, 44.