Page:PracticeOfChristianAndReligiousPerfectionV1.djvu/79

 a great  deal  of  fervour  in  the  beginning,  during  the  first  year  of their  probation;  but  as  soon  as  that  is  over,  they  begin  to  relent, and rather  become  tepid  and  negligent,  than  zealous  and  fervent. For those  who  are  truly  zealous,  will  never  grow  remiss  in  their devotion, but  will  always  keep  up  the  same  fervour  for  their religious duties;  and  instead  of  being  tired  in  God's  service, they desire  nothing  so  much,  as  to  serve  him  still  better  and better, according  to  those  words  of  the  royal  prophet:  "  He who  fears  the'  Lord,  will  have  great  delight  in  his  commandments." (Psal. cxi.  1.)

Another means,  which  may  assist  us  very  much  in  acquiring perfection, is  that  made  use  of  by  St. Bernard himself. He had always in  his  thoughts,  says  the  author  of  his  Life,  and  often  in his  mouth,  these  words:  "  Bernard,  Bernard,  for  what  art  thou come  hither?" St. Arsenius  often  asked  himself  the  same question, and  often  entering  into  himself,  demanded  an  account of his  own  actions. "Arsenius," said  he,  "  wherefore  hast  thou left  the  world?  What  was  thy  intention  in  quitting  it.  and entering  into  religion?  Was  it  not  to  apply  thyself  wholly  to please  God,  and  not  to  be  at  all  solicitous  to  procure  the  esteem and  good  will  of  men?  Be  then  serious  and  diligent,  in  carrying on  the  design  thou  hadst  at  that  time,  and  value  not  what opinion  men  may  have  of  thee.  All  desire  of  honour,  praise, and  vanity  is,  properly  speaking,  that  world  thou  hast  renounced. Do  not  suffer  thy  heart  to  be  seized  anew  with  these  follies;  for it  will  be  of  no  service  to  keep  thy  body  shut  up  in  a  cloister, if  thy  heart  still  sighs  and  longs  for  the  esteem  of  men,  and  so hurries  thee  continually  back  again  to  the  world." Thus did these great  saints  encourage  and  fortify  themselves;  and  so should  we  in  like  manner  animate  and  strengthen  ourselves against all  the  difficulties  we  can  meet  with  in  religion. When you find  a  repugnance  to  obey  a  superior  in  what  he  orders, encourage yourself  by  these  or  the  like  words:  "  Wherefore  art thou  entered  into  religion?" Was it  to  do  thy  own  will? Was it not  rather  to  submit  it  to  the  will  of  another? Wherefore