Page:PracticeOfChristianAndReligiousPerfectionV1.djvu/81

 less learned,  or  whether  you  preach  with  greater  or  less  eloquence; but that  which  is  of  the  greatest  importance  is,  that  you  become a good  and  perfect  religious,  and  if  that  be  not  the  thing  we  aim at, and  labour  to  attain,  what  is  it  we  do? And what  have  we done  all  this  while  if  we  have  not  done  this? And to  what  have we applied  our  minds,  if  we  have  not  studied  and  endeavoured to attain  that,  for  which  only,  and  for  no  other  end,  we  are come hither? Wherefore examine  your  conscience,  and  ask yourself often  this  question;  "  Friend,  for  what  art  thou  come hither?" (Matt. xxvi.  50.)  What  art,  or  what  profession, could I  have  made  choice  of,  wherein  I  should  not  have  rendered myself perfect,  during  the  same  time  I  have  been  in  religion? I have  made  choice  of  the  profession  of  religious,  and  hitherto  I have  advanced  little  or  nothing  in  it:  so  many  years  are  now past, since  I  was  admitted  into  this  school  of  virtue,  and  I  have not yet  learned  the  6rst  rudiments  of  it;  I  am  yet  to  learn  the smallest and  lowest  degree  of  humility. Others become  good philosophers, and  good  divines  in  seven  years'  space;  and  I,  after so many  years,  have  not  yet  learned  to  be  a  good  religious. How easy  were  it,  notwithstanding,  for  us  to  be  so,  if  we  would but apply  with  the  same  care  and  labour  to  acquire  true  virtue, that we  do  to  become  eminent  in  learning.

Many, says  St. Bernard (Lib.  de  Cons.  ca.  2),  run  after  the splendour and  vanity  of  human  learning;  and  how  very  few  are there, that  study  the  purity  and  holiness  of  a  good  life? But if men  would  apply  themselves  with  the  same  fervour  to  virtue, as they  do  to  be  eminent  in  profane  sciences,  they  would  find the acquisition  of  it  more  easy,  and  its  possession  much  more advantageous. And yet,  would  it  be  at  all  surprising,  if,  in acquiring  the  science  of  the  cross,  and  in  securing  our  eternal salvation, we  display  as  much  zeal  as  we  do  in  acquiring  profane science, and  in  cultivating  our  minds? St. Dorotheus,  writing upon this  subject,  says  very  well,  that  he  often  made  a  reflection, which much  improved  him. When I  studied  in  the  world,  says he, I  took  my  studies  so  much  to  heart,  that  I  thought  of  nothing else; and  had  it  not  been  for  one  of  my  friends,  who  took  care to provide  me  something  to  eat,  and  to  call  me  at  dinner  time,  I had  never  thought  of  eating. The vehement  desire  I  had  to  learn went so  far,  that  when  I  was  at  table,  I  had  my  book  always open before  me,  that  I  might  eat  and  study  at  the  same  time; and at  night  when  I  came  from  school,  I  presently  lighted  my candle,  and  studied  till  midnight;  and  when  I  lay  down  to