August 31 — On the Practice of Humility

Consider, first, that, in order to acquire this most necessary virtue of humility, we must have a great esteem of it; we must 9f greatly desire it and seek after it; we must earnestly ]pray for it, every day of our lives; and must neglect no opportunity of learn- ing it, or improving ourselves in it, by the practice of it, that is by daily exercising ourselves in the acts of it. Now, as the humiliations which come to us, either from the hand of God or man give us the best opportunity of practising or exercising humility we must learn to welcome these humiliations, and to embrace them in such manner as to take occasion from them to hum ble ourselves daily both to God and man. For as we shall never learn patience without sufferings and crosses, so we shall never learn humility without humiliations. But as, in the sufferings and crosses which come to us through the hands of wick ed men, we must ever distinguish that which is the work and will of God, from that which is of the malice of man, so that we embrace the one, whilst we detest the other; so likewise in our humiliations, if they be attended with the evil of sin, either of our own or of others, we must in such manner humble ourselves under them, as to embrace the abjection or humiliation, whilst wc abhor the sin.

Consider, secondly, that in learning humility by practice, it will be proper to proceed gradually, by setting ourselves certain lessons, beginning with those that are more easy, and, when these are learnt, proceeding to such as are more difficult. Thus, for instance, let us begin by learning, — First, not to seek, in any thing that we do, the praise, esteem, or applause of man; nor to say any word tending, directly or indirectly, to our own praise or honour; but rather to mortify that inclination we have to be ever speaking of ourselves and of our own performances; — Secondly, never to excuse or palliate our own faults or defects, nor to fling the blame upon others; — Thirdly, not to take pleasure in hearing ourselves praised, nor in our being honoured or applauded by men, nor to be displeased at others’ being extolled or preferred before us; — Fourthly, carefully to shun all occasions of honour and praise, as far as we can without being wanting to the duties of our calling. See, my soul, how much work is here cut out for thee, and yet these are but the beginnings of the virtue of humility.

Consider, thirdly, that, to proceed in the practice of humility we must not content ourselves with the not seeking, nor affecting, nor taking any complacency in the praise, honour or esteem of others, but rather shunning and flying from it; but moreover we must put off all self-esteem and learn to despise ourselves from our hearts; and not to leave off, till, according to the Gospel lesson, we can, with all simplicity and sincerity, sit down in the lowest place by giving the preference, in our own esteem, to all others before ourselves, and thinking ourselves the worst of all. Then, as to the sentiments of others in our regard, and their treatment of us, we are to proceed in the study and practice of humility by these three steps: — First, we are to learn to suffer with meekness and patience our being despised, reproached, or affronted by others. Secondly, we are to learn to receive this kind of treatment with a willingness and readiness of mind, and to be pleased with our being slighted and contemned. Thirdly, we must even learn to embrace all these kinds of humiliations with joy; and not to stop, till, with the apostle, we not only are dead to the world, and to all it can say, either for us or against us; but are even glad that we should be crucified to the world, and the world to us.

Conclude to continue, by a diligent application, both the study and practice of these great lessons, till thou become perfect in them all, and go through the whole course of this heavenly sci ence, the science of the saints.