Of the zealous1 amendment4 of our whole life
Be thou watchful5 and diligent6 in God’s service, and bethink thee often why thou hast renounced7 the world. Was it not that thou mightest live to God and become a spiritual man? Be zealous, therefore, for thy spiritual profit, for thou shalt receive shortly the reward of thy labours, and neither fear nor sorrow shall come any more into thy borders. Now shalt thou labour a little, and thou shalt find great rest, yea everlasting8 joy. If thou shalt remain faithful and zealous in labour, doubt not that God shall be faithful and bountiful in rewarding thee. It is thy duty to have a good hope that thou wilt9 attain10 the victory, but thou must not fall into security lest thou become slothful or lifted up.
2. A certain man being in anxiety of mind, continually tossed about between hope and fear, and being on a certain day overwhelmed with grief, cast himself down in prayer before the altar in a church, and meditated11 within himself, saying, “Oh! if I but knew that I should still persevere,” and presently heard within him a voice from God, “And if thou didst know it, what wouldst thou do? Do now what thou wouldst do then, and thou shalt be very secure.” And straightway being comforted and strengthened, he committed himself to the will of God and the perturbation of spirit ceased, neither had he a mind any more to search curiously12 to know what should befall him hereafter, but studied rather to inquire what was the good and acceptable will of God, for the beginning and perfecting of every good work.
3. Hope in the Lord and be doing good, saith the Prophet; dwell in the land and thou shalt be fed1 with its riches. One thing there is which holdeth back many from progress and fervent13 amendment, even the dread14 of difficulty, or the labour of the conflict. Nevertheless they advance above all others in virtue15 who strive manfully to conquer those things which are most grievous and contrary to them, for there a man profiteth most and meriteth greater grace where he most overcometh himself and mortifieth himself in spirit.
4. But all men have not the same passions to conquer and to mortify16, yet he who is diligent shall attain more profit, although he have stronger passions, than another who is more temperate17 of disposition18, but is withal less fervent in the pursuit of virtue. Two things specially19 avail unto improvement in holiness, namely firmness to withdraw ourselves from the sin to which by nature we are most inclined, and earnest zeal2 for that good in which we are most lacking. And strive also very earnestly to guard against and subdue20 those faults which displease21 thee most frequently in others.
5. Gather some profit to thy soul wherever thou art, and wherever thou seest or hearest good examples, stir thyself to follow them, but where thou seest anything which is blameworthy, take heed22 that thou do not the same; or if at any time thou hast done it, strive quickly to amend3 thyself. As thine eye observeth others, so again are the eyes of others upon thee. How sweet and pleasant is it to see zealous and godly brethren temperate and of good discipline; and how sad is it and grievous to see them walking disorderly, not practising the duties to which they are called. How hurtful a thing it is to neglect the purpose of their calling, and turn their inclinations23 to things which are none of their business.
6. Be mindful of the duties which thou hast undertaken, and set always before thee the remembrance of the Crucified. Truly oughtest thou to be ashamed as thou lookest upon the life of Jesus Christ, because thou hast not yet endeavoured to conform thyself more unto Him, though thou hast been a long time in the way of God. A religious man who exercises himself seriously and devoutly24 in the most holy life and passion of our Lord shall find there abundantly all things that are profitable and necessary for him, neither is there need that he shall seek anything better beyond Jesus. Oh! if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts, how quickly, and completely should we have learned all that we need to know!
7. He who is earnest receiveth and beareth well all things that are laid upon him. He who is careless and lukewarm hath trouble upon trouble, and suffereth anguish25 upon every side, because he is without inward consolation26, and is forbidden to seek that which is outward. He who is living without discipline is exposed to grievous ruin. He who seeketh easier and lighter27 discipline shall always be in distress28, because one thing or another will give him displeasure.
8. O! if no other duty lay upon us but to praise the Lord our God with our whole heart and voice! Oh! if thou never hadst need to eat or drink, or sleep, but wert always able to praise God, and to give thyself to spiritual exercises alone; then shouldst thou be far happier than now, when for so many necessities thou must serve the flesh. O! that these necessities were not, but only the spiritual refreshments29 of the soul, which alas30 we taste too seldom.
9. When a man hath come to this, that he seeketh comfort from no created thing, then doth he perfectly31 begin to enjoy God, then also will he be well contented32 with whatsoever33 shall happen unto him. Then will he neither rejoice for much nor be sorrowful for little, but he committeth himself altogether and with full trust unto God, who is all in all to him, to whom nothing perisheth nor dieth, but all things live to Him and obey His every word without delay.
10. Remember always thine end, and how the time which is lost returneth not. Without care and diligence thou shalt never get virtue. If thou beginnest to grow cold, it shall begin to go ill with thee, but if thou givest thyself unto zeal thou shalt find much peace, and shalt find thy labour the lighter because of the grace of God and the love of virtue. A zealous and diligent man is ready for all things. It is greater labour to resist sins and passions than to toil34 in bodily labours. He who shunneth not small faults falleth little by little into greater. At eventide thou shalt always be glad if thou spend the day profitably. Watch over thyself, stir thyself up, admonish35 thyself, and howsoever it be with others, neglect not thyself. The more violence thou dost unto thyself, the more thou shall profit. Amen.
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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amend
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| vt.修改，修订，改进；n.[pl.]赔罪，赔偿 | |
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amendment
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| n.改正，修正，改善，修正案 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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diligent
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| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
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renounced
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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mortify
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| v.克制，禁欲，使受辱 | |
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temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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subdue
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| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
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displease
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| vt.使不高兴，惹怒；n.不悦，不满，生气 | |
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heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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inclinations
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| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
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devoutly
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| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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admonish
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| v.训戒；警告；劝告 | |
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