Book III, Chapter II

It is, therefore, no small matter fora man to forsake himself even in the smallest things. B. iii. c. 39

(On these words) — “ It is, therefore, no small matter for a man to forsake himself even in the smallest things.’* B. iii. c. 39.

Question. — What are small things?

Answer. — They are of two kinds the one small in appearance and great in effect; the other, small both in effect and in appearance. To these we might add those which appear great, but are, in truth, small. These last ordinarily cause great trouble to those timid and scrupulous minds which torment themselves about nothing.

But what are those which we call small both in appearance and effect? They are slight faults, whose principle is not very bad, or which, at least, cannot have very evil consequences.

There are others little in themselves, but considerable in their cause and in their effects. A thoughtless look does not appear a great evil, and yet it sometimes causes death and the everlasting destruction of the soul. A patch on the face of a young lady is nothing in itself, and yet it shows great vanity, and is sometimes a sign of great disorder. k 3

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102 WHY DO THE SAINTS

To abstain from a curious look, to refuse ourselves some delicate morsel at a repast, appears very little, yet it is great when it is done with the design of mor- s tifying ourselves after our Lord’s example. It even shows a real desire for perfection; and we see, by experience, that those who, for the love of God, deprive themselves of many small things, have generally much virtue. This induced our Author to say, that “ it is not little to renounce ourselves even on i the smallest occasions.”

Great holiness is required to be exact and constant in thus overcoming ourselves in the smallest things. One man gathers a flower and smells it innocently; another will not touch it; he prefers sacrificing to I God the slight pleasure he would find in its odour, Blosius says, that the action of the one is as far removed from that of the other, as heaven from earth. We see, too, that the Saints who desire to live for J God alone, refuse themselves all pleasures and conveniences which they believe unnecessary; and then the retrenchment of the smallest thing is very meritorious. In the life of Father Lessius, the Jesuit, we are surprised to find that when he writes to Father Olivier Manar, whom St. Ignatius had received and trained himself in the company, he asks him for instruction on very easy and well-known subjects connected with the spiritual life. If we judged of this simplicity according to the spirit of the world, we should ridicule it; but I consider that nothing can more plainly show the deep humility of this man, no less celebrated for his virtue than for his learning.

Question. — Why do the Saints regard small things so much?

Answer. — This proceeds from the Spirit of God, by whom they act, and Who cannot permit in them any thing which does not originate in a virtuous

REGARD SMALL THINGS SO MUCH? 103 i principle; and although, when He possesses the soul which yields herself wholly to His guidance, He so occupies all her powers, that He suffers not her attention to be divided amongst minute details; yet when she has to labour for the acquirement of some par- ticular virtue, He requires her to reflect on the small- est things; He makes her know that nothing must be neglected, because all that depends on the human will should be guided and sanctified by Grace. As there is not a wheel in a watch which has not its own;

use, and the want of a few teeth is enough to stop or derange it; thus, in man, when all should conduce I to the glory of the Creator, it is necessary that the i smallest actions should be regulated; and none can be neglected without the soul, which must give account of all, suffering notable injury.

The consequence of this is, that when we care little for things which appear inconsiderable, we are in danger of greatly displeasing God, and even of being great losers, as the wise man says He that despiseth little things, by little things shall he fall. Eccles. xix. 1. One of the first things necessary in order to arrive at perfection, is to die entirely to self; and therefore, all who truly aspire to it, gladly suffer mortifications, and wage a constant war against self- love, fully persuaded, that to attach importance to I these small things, is not the sign of a weak mind, i but of a character of solid virtue. Thus do those i souls that are taught and guided by the Holy Spirit,

break through even their smallest attachments to ■ created things. “ Forsake thyself perfectly, as well I i in small things as in great. 1 except nothing, but!

do desire that thou be found naked, and void of all things.” B. iii. c. 37. j

104 WHAT IS IT TO FEEL OURSELVES?