20. Of keeping humility from the consideration of our own weakness

[K»t2ii^lfjfll H EN you have done all the things that are commanded you : say, " We are unprofitable servants." The present word of Our Lord Jesus Christ instructs us much to the guarding of humility: and to the shutting out of all vain glory and swelling. It especially warns the desirous of high places, to be mindful of their own weakness and negligence; and not to boast of their deeds, although well done according to the judgement of men; but, fearful of the judgement of God above them, rather humbly to implore His mercy: than presume on their own merits. For thus the holy and humble David, tremblingly calls to God: PS. 142. 2. " Enter not into judgement with Thy servant: for in Thy sight no man living shall be justified." See how base should be thy esteem of thyself: how seriously thou shouldst fear the judgement of Heaven: who art far from the holiness of David, the great King and prophet. Neither king, nor prophet, nor holy, nor chosen according to God's heart: hast thou ever merited to be called as was he. He, however, fulfilled the word of Our Lord, acknowledging himself an unprofitable servant: even calling himself an insect, a dog and a worm: having no high thought of himself after his mighty deeds. Bring back to memory the evils thou hast perpetrated : the vices of the present, the dan gers of the future : and thou shalt not be by any means high-minded: but shalt rather fear, and declare thyself base and useless. God has no need of thy service, even if thou dost well; nor wilt thou worthily please Him: unless thou know thyself unworthy and unprofitable. " When," He says, " you have done all the things that are com manded you: say, 'We are unprofitable serv ants.' " If when thou hast done all the things that are commanded, thou must say this, and hast no right to glory in aught; how vile and unworthy must thou think thyself, when thou failest and tallest short in so many things daily : and scarcely bringest anything to perfection. When hast thou been able for one day or hour, to live so uprightly and guardedly in the sight of God and men: as to overlook nothing of those things that it behoved thee and became thee to do? So great is human weakness: that these things do not escape defile ment even that are praised in the judgement of men as just. Put aside therefore all vain com placency and pride: and take heed of the abund ance of thy own unprofitableness. Be mindful of the depravity and inconstancy of thy thoughts; and thou shalt find that thou art not only useless unto good: but liable to much evil, and worthy of reproach and punishment. But this is the only remedy and comfort for the troubled spirit: that for such numberless negligences and sinful stains, a man humble himself in truth, and esteem him self inferior to all and useless; carefully redeem ing his past sins and daily negligences with the coin of confession and the shield of a good will: and often being instant in devout prayer. Set thyself then manfully against inrushing vice: for so much does a man make progress in virtue: as he the more sternly detests and vanquishes his vices. And although thou oft be tempted and fall: nevertheless thou shouldst endeavourto rise again, and take up thy good resolve with greater watch- Ps. n8. 106. fulness: and with the prophet say, " I have sworn and determined, to keep the judgements of Thy justice." As often therefore as thou fallest short of thy conceived purpose, and hast no strength to march forward; by no means lose heart, or be downcast: but trusting in the Lord, with all PS. n8. 117. humility and great insistence cry and pray, " Help me and I shall be saved: and I will meditate always on Thy justifications."

Lament.