登陆注册
5151200000021

第21章

Of the love of solitude and silence

Seek a suitable time for thy meditation, and think frequently of the mercies of God to thee.Leave curious questions.Study such matters as bring thee sorrow for sin rather than amusement.If thou withdraw thyself from trifling conversation and idle goings about, as well as from novelties and gossip, thou shalt find thy time sufficient and apt for good meditation.The greatest saints used to avoid as far as they could the company of men, and chose to live in secret with God.

2.One hath said, "As oft as I have gone among men, so oft have I returned less a man." This is what we often experience when we have been long time in conversation.For it is easier to be altogether silent than it is not to exceed in word.It is easier to remain hidden at home than to keep sufficient guard upon thyself out of doors.He, therefore, that seeketh to reach that which is hidden and spiritual, must go with Jesus "apart from the multitude." No man safely goeth abroad who loveth not to rest at home.No man safely talketh but he who loveth to hold his peace.No man safely ruleth but he who loveth to be subject.No man safely commandeth but he who loveth to obey.

3.No man safely rejoiceth but he who hath the testimony of a good conscience within himself.The boldness of the Saints was always full of the fear of God.Nor were they the less earnest and humble in themselves, because they shone forth with great virtues and grace.But the boldness of wicked men springeth from pride and presumption, and at the last turneth to their own confusion.Never promise thyself security in this life, howsoever good a monk or devout a solitary thou seemest.

4.Often those who stand highest in the esteem of men, fall the more grievously because of their over great confidence.Wherefore it is very profitable unto many that they should not be without inward temptation, but should be frequently assaulted, lest they be over confident, lest they be indeed lifted up into pride, or else lean too freely upon the consolations ofthe world.O how good a conscience should that man keep, who never sought a joy that passeth away, who never became entangled with the world! O how great peace and quiet should he possess, who would cast off all vain care, and think only of healthful and divine things, and build his whole hope upon God!

5.No man is worthy of heavenly consolation but he who hath diligently exercised himself in holy compunction.If thou wilt feel compunction within thy heart, enter into thy chamber and shut out the tumults of the world, as it is written, Commune with your own heart in your own chamber and be still.(1) In retirement thou shalt find what often thou wilt lose abroad.Retirement, if thou continue therein, groweth sweet, but if thou keep not in it, begetteth weariness.If in the beginning of thy conversion thou dwell in it and keep it well, it shall afterwards be to thee a dear friend, and a most pleasant solace.

6.In silence and quiet the devout soul goeth forward and learneth the hidden things of the Scriptures.Therein findeth she a fountain of tears, wherein to wash and cleanse herself each night, that she may grow the more dear to her Maker as she dwelleth the further from all worldly distraction.To him who withdraweth himself from his acquaintance and friends God with his holy angels will draw nigh.It is better to be unknown and take heed to oneself than to neglect oneself and work wonders.It is praiseworthy for a religious man to go seldom abroad, to fly from being seen, to have no desire to see men.

7.Why wouldest thou see what thou mayest not have? The world passeth away and the lust thereof.The desires of sensuality draw thee abroad, but when an hour is past, what does thou bring home, but a weight upon thy conscience and distraction of heart? A merry going forth bringeth often a sorrowful return, and a merry evening maketh a sad morning? So doth all carnal joy begin pleasantly, but in the end it gnaweth away and destroyeth.What canst thou see abroad which thou seest not at home? Behold the heaven and the earth and the elements, for out of these are all things made.

8.What canst thou see anywhere which can continue long under thesun? Thou believest perchance thou shalt be satisfied, but thou wilt never be able to attain unto this.If thou shouldest see all things before thee at once, what would it be but a vain vision? Lift up thine eyes to God on high, and pray that thy sins and negligences may be forgiven.Leave vain things to vain men, and mind thou the things which God hath commanded thee.Shut thy door upon thee, and call unto thyself Jesus thy beloved.Remain with Him in thy chamber, for thou shalt not elsewhere find so great peace.If thou hadst not gone forth nor listened to vain talk, thou hadst better kept thyself in good peace.But because it sometimes delighteth thee to hear new things, thou must therefore suffer trouble of heart.

(1) Psalm iv.4.

同类推荐
  • 佛说大方等大云请雨经

    佛说大方等大云请雨经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 焰罗王供行法次第

    焰罗王供行法次第

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 马自然金丹口诀

    马自然金丹口诀

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 验方新编

    验方新编

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 送张侍御赴郴州别驾

    送张侍御赴郴州别驾

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 太子妃上位攻略

    太子妃上位攻略

    上一世,她本以为觅得良人,为自己谋夺了一份幸福,助他一步一步踏上皇位,却在封后前夕一朝被废,斩首示众。重来一遭,林清歌发誓要报复害她致死的人。人人都言太子多年病弱,性情暴戾,她偏偏迎难而上,入主东宫,这一世的她一步一步把负她的人踩在脚下。银针在手,医术傍身,美男在侧,天下我有!
  • 我的女友不是人

    我的女友不是人

    屌丝余左,机缘巧合之下结识奇怪女友,获得法术,开启寻找亲人神秘失踪的旅途.....
  • 网配之大神攻略

    网配之大神攻略

    温小暖从来没想过恋爱结婚的事,在这个现实的社会,普通人想要找到爱情本已经很困难了,更何况她这种孱弱身体的?没想到在遇到他的第一眼,似乎就有了爱情的萌芽,然而身体的残弱,内心的自卑,两人又该何去何从?他对她第一印象是一个虽然较为冷漠却很好的前辈。第二印象是一位可以诉说一切的伙伴第三印象是虽然高冷内心却十分温柔的人。不知不觉中他对她产生奇妙的念头,然而面对残酷的现实,他又该如何是好?
  • 九尾灵狐之---赶尸集

    九尾灵狐之---赶尸集

    世界上最遥远的距离,不是生与死,那还会是什么?就为了再见那温和的笑,我愿为你翻山越岭的去寻找那亘古的传说....那个动乱的年代里,什么都是身不由己,那个被世人洞悉的天机、家族的盛衰,我们不得不颠沛流离.....
  • 七日谈

    七日谈

    帷幕拉开直升机降落在小岛上的时候,岛上的七个人已经死光了。富豪走下直升机,来到散发出阵阵恶臭的尸体前,点了一根雪茄。他开始指挥五六个健壮的男人挖一个大坑,那坑必须大到足够埋掉七具尸体。年轻貌美的女人也从直升机上走了下来,她带着哭腔对富豪控诉道:“你杀了他们!你这个杀人魔!”富豪歪着嘴笑,“你说得不对!我可没杀人,我为杀人秀提供了场地而已。”“你怎么可以……”女人的话还没说完便被谁一把推下了刚挖好的大坑……在女人歇斯底里的尖叫声中,片尾曲响起,屏幕上开始滚动演职人员名单。
  • 冰处女

    冰处女

    悬疑之父,大师之中的大师,只可模仿,不可超越的巅峰,直逼理性与疯狂、压制与抗争的心理极限,你永远都猜不到故事的结局,你也无法预想故事情节的发展!精品、经典、精装、超值价蕾遇生与死、罪与罚的灵魂拷问。
  • 幸福太太完全自助宝典

    幸福太太完全自助宝典

    女人说到底就是女人,形单影只的成功不会给我们带来真正的快乐。家庭美满,老公宏爱,我们才能找到生命的归属感。为了不让这种最持久、最温暖的幸福从手心里溜走,即使我们为之付出了一定的努力,也是非常值得的事情。
  • 冰魄时空

    冰魄时空

    最强法王冰魄,出生阿达拉大陆,创立最强佣兵团,给大家诠释一个不一样的冰魄。
  • 心有灵犀梦江山

    心有灵犀梦江山

    【女强、宠文、、爽文、美男超多】她本神族族女,却有灾星之体,极阴之质,带来灭门之祸毁谷之患,世人却皆趋之若鹜,为了得到她,不惜血溅三尺,踏碎一地尸骨!五行之男皆上品,眉眼如画之润下,孤冷怪异之曲直,热血单纯之炎上,妙手神医之从革,神秘鬼魅之稼穑……为让自己体质改变,平了那血雨腥风,求一个世间和平,她必须寻齐五男并与之结合。然,一生一世,只能有一双人,情与义之间,终难平衡。她爱的,只有他,怎去管世间刀光剑影、乱世纷争……
  • 女人简单易学的赚钱经

    女人简单易学的赚钱经

    女人需要赚钱,只有经济上的独立才是真正的独立。女人的幸福可以不靠男人而自己去争取。而且,女人在赚钱上面有自己独特的优势。本书就是从女人的特点出发,教女人学会最简单最有效的赚钱方法。