Book I, Chapter VI

Set thyself always in the lowest place, and the highest shall be given thee

(On these words) — “ Set thyself always in the lowest place, and the highest shall be given thee.” B. ii. c. 10.

Question. — Wherein can a humble man seek the lowest place?

Answer. — He can do so particularly in three things; first, in the station of life which he embraces; secondly, in his employment; thirdly, in his spiritual conduct.

1. Those truly abase themselves in the station of life which they choose, who, being great, rich, and

THE LOWEST PLACE. 83 powerful in the world, make themselves little and poor in a religious life. We have illustrious examples of this in many kings, princes, and other persons of distinction, who having left all, and entered the Monastic life for the love of Jesus Christ, have employed themselves in serving their brethren, as if they had been the lowest of all. By this means they arrived at a high degree of perfection; and we may venture to say that they obtained with God a rank as far raised above the mass of men, as their former station surpassed in grandeur and dignity the lowly state which they chose in order to annihilate themselves before God.

Amongst these last we must reckon those who, in the religious life itself, having it in their power to rule, and being worthy of the highest offices, have solicited earnestly to be employed in the most abject ministrations; or, who having all the merit and capacity necessary to become Priests, have refused that dignity, that they might be of less consideration among their brethren. This was done by Saint Francis, and by the blessed brother Jacobon, wbo desired to be cook in the monastery, though he was learned, and capable of the most important employments. This is done in all religious communities, both of men and women, by an infinite number of devout persons, whose sole ambition is to be employed in the lowest offices.

To these may be added those who, already holding a high rank, take pleasure in employing themselves in whatever is most humiliating. St. Francis of Borgia, and Father Vincent Caraffa, both generals of the company of Jesus, both of illustrious birth, were not ashamed to perform, even in public, the meanest functions of the house. And in most well-regulated communities, it is seen daily that those who occupy the highest places have no greater joy than to hum-

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I ble themselves, and to show that the most obscure i station is that which they love, and most gladly embrace, 2. The second sort of voluntary abasement is pracl Used in employments even of a spiritual nature, when we carry them out in a simple modest manner, free from all appearance of pomp; and when, far from seeking for display, we love obscurity, and avoid all that makes a noise in the world, that causes admiration, or shows much capacity and talent. Yet public professors must not, through excessive modesty, affect to teach only the less elevated part of the sciences, whether divine or human; on the contrary, they must give proof of their capacity. A theologian, for example, must study to fill the minds of his hearers with sound doctrine; he must explain the most sublime mysteries with as much subtlety as plainness, when that serves to make them more clearly and deeply understood.

1 say the same of all other sciences. But as in general knowledge puffeth up, it is necessary to avoid with extreme care all that savours of vanity and ostentation. A preacher who ascends the pulpit only to instruct the people, to excite them to penitence, to teach them to live a godly life, must not seek either for too much acuteness in thought, too much force in reasoning, too much art in composition, or even too much elegance in language. He must speak the common language, and choose those reasons which are most adapted to convert sinners, and to lead them to the love of God. He who with simple faith and I true zeal, seeks in the Gospel for the truth alone, without losing time in subtle and obscure reasonings, which serve rather to dazzle the ignorant than to edify the faithful, this man possesses the true talent of preaching. He accordingly is animated by the Spirit of God, Which softens the most ferocious, over-

THE LOWEST PLACE.

comes the most rebellious, and gives repentance to die most hardened sinners. j

The Holy Spirit communicates Himself more J readily to those who never wander from orthodox doctrine, and who join simple and natural manners to ardent zeal, than to those who seem as if they would fain rise above the sky, and distinguish themselves from common men by the sublimity of their style and of their thoughts. We have seen preachers, remarked for no extraordinary qualities, who simply and plainly explained the truths of the Gospel with a modest and; serious air in ordinary language, and produced more fruit than others far more polished and eloquent.

God takes pleasure in raising by His Grace those who 1 do not misuse their natural talent, and who humble themselves to the comprehension of the most rude and ignorant.

Lastly, we must beware, even in the spiritual course, not to seek to soar too high. For there are ] spiritual persons, who, knowing that God leads some by extraordinary paths, do their utmost to enter them without being called. If they speak of the things of God, it is in lofty terms, hard to understand. If they teach practices of piety, they will have none that are ’ not sublime and new, instead of recommending and practising those which the saints have given us. If they write on some mystery of religion, they always subtilize and refine very dryly, without unction and without devotion.

This is because they seek to rise too high. These words should often be repeated to them “ Humble ] yourselves, and ye shall be exalted.” What can be J imagined more divine than the sentiments of St. The- resa, of St. Catherine of Sienna, and of some other holy persons? But how did they attain to them? Was it by soaring at first, and rising to the most sublime contemplation? No; it was rather by hum-

I 36 WHEREIN WE MAT CHOOSE bling themselves at the feet of Jesus their Beloved Spouse, Whose love and endearments they obtained by the mortification of the flesh, by exercises of penitence, by noble deeds of charity and humility.

There are some who imagine, that the higher they rise in thought, the more they will enjoy heavenly things. But strive as they will, they can gain no more than if they sought to obtain water from a dry sponge. For it is not there that the dew of true piety is found. The graces of Heaven are poured 1 abundantly on those alone who love their own abase- ment, and who prefer Christian simplicity and modesty to the vain grandeurs of the world. i

St. Theresa yielded to none in elevation of spirit, and yet there was nothing more simple and natural than her words and expressions. Her behaviour was so unstudied and so unworldly, that according to the testimony of her confessor, she esteemed herself a fool, that is, she sat at the feet of our Lord, as one who needed instruction in the smallest things. She had no pleasure in displaying her knowledge, though our Lord had filled her with a wisdom which, together with the power and quickness of her mind, caused her to be considered one of the most gifted women of her time. She never used extraordinary terms except when obliged to treat of mystic theology, which she understood admirably.

Many esteem and praise natural ’talent and it must not be despised, for it may be very usefully employed; but we must always set a far higher value upon the gifts of grace, which contribute incomparably more to the execution of those great things which are done in God’s service. When people see a man of talent, who thinks well, and expresses himself nobly, they form a high opinion of him, and there is nothing of which he does not seem capable. But they should first enquire if he is humble, if he does not take credit

WHO ARE TRULY DEVOUT. 37 to himself, and trust too much in his own talents and.insight, for by this we should judge for what he is fitted, and what he may accomplish, since the success of the greatest designs is generally a fruit of humility, It is sometimes said in a community, Here is a I daughter, of quick talent, ready answer, who under- i stands the affairs of life; with a little virtue, she will make an excellent nun. On the contrary, one is despised who acts simply, and by a very holy conduct hides, for a time -at least, the excellent qualities with which God has endowed her. I would say to those who judge so ill, Learn the true sentiments wherewith devotion, ever drawn towards humiliation, inspires the Saints; humble yourselves; beware of following the inclinations of nature, which loves honour and show; and God, who exalts the humble, will communicate J His Spirit to you, and will fulfil you with His grace, Say not then that she really possesses less talent than the other, because she displays less in civilities and courtesies merely secular. Perhaps she could succeed in this better than any, but she neglects such trifles, I and avoids applying herself to them, because one who acts on holy principles will ever value worldly talent far less than that wisdom which cometh of grace. I