Chapter 92

That we must fly fast from pride, which is wont to grow up apace, by occasion of good works; considering the much, which is merited by them; and of a particular instruction which Christ hath given us, whereby we may profit against this tentation.

THERE¹ is a great deal of difference, between the knowing of a Truth, and the knowing how to use it rightly; for the first, without the later, will not only profit nothing, but do hurt. For as S Paul saith, He that thinketh he knoweth somewhat, may perhaps not know it, as he ought. And this he said, because some Christians knew, that the thing which was sacrificed up to Idols, might as well be eaten, as that which was not sacrificed; but they served themselves ill of that knowledge, because they did eat thereof, in the presence of such, as were scandalised thereat. All² this have I said to thee, to the end that thou mayst not content thyself with knowing this Truth, That such as are in the grace of our Lord, are just, and acceptable, by that grace, and justice which is in them; and that the value of their good works is so high, as to deserve, that this grace should be augmented in them, and that glory also should be imparted to them; but that thou mayst also procure to lodge this truth in his true place. For men there are, who use it ill, more or less; the former running hazard of being proud, and the later of pusillanimity, and sloth.

Many³ have I seen, who by the goodness of God became free, in a short time, from great miseries, wherein they had remained a long time; and the same men, have not been free in many years, from those dangers, which presented themselves by occasion of their good works. Remember that which David⁴ said, That wicked persons, did spread a snare for him near his way; yea and that also they did spread it, in the very way. For not only do our enemies pretend to draw us out of the good way, by inciting us to do ill; but even in the very way itself of good works, they procure to do us mischief; provoking us, not to use the good, as we ought. And so that cometh to be verified upon us, which the⁵ Wise man saith, Another mischief have I seen, under the sun; Great riches, heaped up, in prejudice of the owner. For it were better for a man, not to have a thing, than not to use it as he ought.

To these men it happens, that seeing the good works which they do, and hearing talk of the much which they merit by them; their heads run round, with the vanity, and conceited delight thereof,⁶ without considering the many faults, which in those very works they commit; and without acknowledging them to come from the mercy of God, as indeed they do; and without procuring to pass further on, like people of a little, and empty hart, which is satisfied with small matters. Whereas on the other side, it is reason, as S. Bernard saith; That we should not be negligent, whilst we consider those things which God doth in us; but solicitous, to obtain the much, which yet is wanting to us. Some others again there are so blind, (through an ignorant kind of Pride) as that, how soever⁷ their tongue be saying somewhat else, yet their hart doth really believe, that God is bound to give them all such benefits for their merits, (without considering, that even they, are given them by the grace of God) as they shall desire, or may hope for, at his hands. And this they expect under such a title of more justice, as that if he deny them any thing, they are complaining in their hearts; and do hold themselves aggrieved; why lest they forsooth serving him so well, he doth them not justice, by denying them any thing.

Let not this wicked pride seize on thee; for⁸ it is now long since God complaineth of it by Isay⁹ saying, They demand the judgements of justice at my hands; and they come to God and say, Why have we fasted: and yet thou hast not behold us; we have humbled our souls, and thou hast not appreoved it. But, to the end that this so dangerous poison, may not infuse itself into thy soul, (with others, which do also flow from thence) thou art to lay hold, upon that excellent doctrine, which our Lord Christ Jesus delivered in S. Luke, after this manner. Which of you, having a servant who goeth to blow & feeds the cattles; and yourself coming from the field you say instantly to your servant, Go thy ways, and take thine ease; and doth not rather say, Go dress my supper, and make thyself ready, to come and serve me, till I have eaten and drunk; and then, thou also, shalt eate, and drink? Doth peradventure that master, stand thanking of his servant, for doing those things, which he commanded? I think not. Well then, let it be so in your case; and when you have performed all those things, which are enjoined, say, We are unprofitable servants, and we did but that, which we were obliged to. From these words thou art to fetch a knowledge, of how profitable a consideration it is, for a Christian to hold himself, the slave of God; since our Lord, commandeth us so to call ourselves. And yet this must not be done, with that kind of hart, wherewith the slave useth to serve, which is a hart of fear, and not of love. For as S. Paul¹⁰ saith, You did not again receive the spirit of servitude in fear, but you received the spirit of adoption, of the sons of God, wherein you cry out to God & say, Father Father. For, as S. Augustine saith, the difference between the old law, and the Gospel, in a word, is that, which is between fear, and love. Leaving therefore a part,¹¹ this spirit of servility, (because it belongeth not, so properly, to the sons of God) and the spirit also of¹² fear, (as less perfect though it be not evil) since it is the gift of God to fear him, even for the punishments which he inflicteth, do thou understand by the name of servant, a person who is subject to God, by more strong and just obligation, than any slave can be to his Lord, how dear soever he have cost him. And¹³ looking ever upon this, whatsoever he doth well, either within himself, or exteriorly, he will do it for the glory, and to give gust to God; as a true-harted slave, will give a just account unto his Lord, of whatsoever he is able to gain. So also, will he forbear to be slack, or sluggish, in serving him, upon the present day; notwithstanding that he had served many years before. Nor will he hold himself disobliged, from the doing of one service, in respect that he hath done another. But, as the holy¹⁴ Gospel saith, he carrieth a continual hunger, and thirst, after justice. For he esteemeth all to be little, considering both the much that he hath received; and which the Lord, in whose service he is, hath merited. By this means, doth he accomplish that, which S. Paul¹⁵ saith of himself, That forgetting those things which were passed, he gave himself new spirits: towards the pursuit of that, which was then, to come. He doth also know, that from those things which he is able to do, how great so ever they may be, no profit accreweth unto God; nor is God obliged to esteem that, which he doth, if the works be considered, as growing from our natural power, and strength; since a man is not able to pay, even what he oweth. And therefore doth the holy¹⁶ Gospel say, When you have done all those things which you have been commanded, say, We are unprofitable servants; and we did but that, which we were bound to do. I say¹⁷ unprofitable, in respect of God; but for as much as concerneth themselves, they gain life eternal; as shallbe showed in the next Chapter. And in this sort, understanding the name of slave, thou wilt find it to be a name of humility, of obedience, of diligence, and of love. And this feeling thereof, had the sacred Virgin Mary; when, being taught by the Holy Ghost, she¹⁸ answered, Behold¹⁹ here is the slave of our Lord; let that be fulfilled in me, which is agreeable to his word. She confesseth her own baseness; she offereth up her love and service, with a liberal hart; without ascribing any thing unto herself, by way of any other honour, or interest, then only, in being careful, to serve as a slave, in that, which our Lord was commanding her, for his glory. All this did she feel within, and this did she outwardly express, by delivering herself in the name of slave. S. Paul doth call himself, and prise himself by this name, when he²⁰ saith, Paul, the slave of Jesus Christ. And, in a word, so are all they, who serve God, to acknowledge themselves; whether they be high, or low; unless they be content, that even the service which they are doing, prove to be of more prejudice, than advantage to them.

Procure therefore to profit by this truth; and thou shalt find a powerful remedy against the danger, which groweth by occasion of good works; not²¹ from the works themselves, but by the imperfection of such as do them. And use thou to say, both with thy mouth, and with thy hart, very often, I am²² the slave of God; and I am so, because God, is that which he is; and for a thousand millions of benefits, which I have received from his hand. And how much soever I might do for him, I should never be able to pay the least of those paces, which he, being made man, did make for me; nor the least of those torments which he endured for me; nor the least sin which he hath pardoned; nor any other, which he hath prevented; nor any good purpose which he hath given me, towards his service; nor one day of heaven, which I expect hereafter; and, as²³ jacob affirmed, I am less, than any of the mercies of God. And if our Lord do say, that they who do all that which they are commanded, are yet to humble themselves; and affirm, that²⁴ they are unprofitable servants, & that they did but that which they were bound to do; how much more then, am I to humble myself; since I fall into so many faults, by ignorance, by weakness, or by malice. A slave I am, and a wicked slave; and I serve not God, so much as I am able; and much less, as much as I own him. And if he had cast his eye upon that which I have deserved of him; a long time is past, since he would have thrown me into hell, for the sins which I have committed, and for many other also, into which he might justly have permitted me to fall.

Let this be therefore, the feeling which thou hast of thyself; let this be the place wherein thou mayst put thyself; since this is that, which, for thy part, thou dost deserve. And let thy care be, to serve our Lord, the best thou canst, without reflecting greatly upon how much it is; and without conceiving that God is bound to thank thee for it; or that thou art able, as job²⁵ saith, To answer him one for a thousand, of what thou oughtest him. And when thou hearest men speak of the much, that good works deserve; let not thy hart grow vain upon it; but say, It is thy mercy O Lord thankes be given to thee; who hast imparted such dignity, to our unworthy services. And by such means as this, be thou ever sure to remain, in thy true place, of being a negligent, & unworthy slave.

Footnotes

1. It it a good thing to know a truth, which it doth import us to know; but it is better if we know how to use it well. ↩

2. The end that the Author had, in making this discourie. ↩

3. It is often, more easy to come to penance, from sin, then for men of virtue, to maintain themselves in humility. ↩

4. Psalm. 139. ↩

5. Eccles. 5. ↩

6. Consideration, which may seru● for the preventing of pride; or at least for the curing of it. ↩

7. This seemeth not so impossible, as indeed it is true. ↩

8. How God abhorreth Pride. ↩

9. Isa. 58. ↩

10. Rom. 8. ↩

11. To serve God; for fear, is less good; to do it for love is excellent. ↩

12. He speaketh here of filial fear. ↩

13. A faithful and loving servant, well described. ↩

14. Luc. 17. ↩

15. Philip. ●. ↩

16. Luc. 17. ↩

17. How the best man is indeed an unprofitable servant; and in what sense again he is not so. ↩

18. The unspeakable humility of the incomprehensible virgin Mary the B. Mother of God. ↩

19. Luc. 1. ↩

20. Rom. 1. ↩

21. There is no danger in good works; but in the vanity of man's hart who doth them. ↩

22. A just and true acknowledgement which ought to be made by the hart and tongue of all true Christians. ↩

23. Gen. 31. ↩

24. Luc. 17. ↩

25. job. ●. ↩