Chapter 30. On Nine Things Injurious to Devotion

1.—As certain things tend to assist devotion, so do others tend to impede it, amongst these the first is sin, not only mortal but also venial sins; because these although they do not altogether extinguish, nevertheless cool the fervour of charity, which is but another name for devotion; therefore they should be carefully avoided, if not for the evil which they contain, at all events for the good which they frustrate.

2.—Another impediment is remorse of conscience, which springs from sin, and when carried to excess, leaves the soul restless, shattered, dismayed, and weak in every pious exercise.

3.—Another impediment arises from bitterness or sourness of heart or inordinate grief, because the delicious suavity of a good conscience and of spiritual joy cannot sympathize with them.

4.—Anxious cares and solicitudes are hindrances, they are the flies of Egypt which teaze the soul and disturb her spiritual repose and slumber, and interrupt and divert her from devout exercises.

-5.—Too many occupations are also injurious because they consume time and fill the mind, leaving a man neither leisure nor inclination for the service of God.

6.—Delicacies and sensual comforts are also impediments, inasmuch as they make spiritual exercises distasteful, hence he who surrenders himself to worldly consolations, deserves not, according to St. Bernard, the consolations of the Holy Ghost.

7.—Too much indulgence in eating and drinking, especially in late suppers, is to be avoided, for heavy suppers make a bad bed for spiritual exercise and holy vigils, as a full belly is not well suited for a flight towards heaven.

8.—Another impediment arises from the vice of curiosity, or an anxiety to hear, see, and learn the news of the day ; because time is thereby wasted, the soul is made restless, the thoughts are scattered, and so devotion is checked.

9.—Finally an interruption of all these holy exercises is another impediment, and should not be permitted except for some pious or important duty ; because the spirit of devotion being sensitive, when it once flies away, is not easily recalled.

10.—Thus as flowers unless regularly watered, droop and

| wither, so does devotion unless refreshed by the dew of devout meditation.

11.—We have condensed these instructions in few words that they may be easily retained in the memory ; practice and long experience will prove their value to those who seek to test it.