§ 2. Resignation.

Be, I pray thee, resigned and of good- will, and truly humble. Never esteem thyself to be of any account; but remain ever little and of no value in thy own eyes and in thy own esteem. Magnify not the good works thou doest, knowing them to be full of defects; but make great account of the good works of others, and prefer them to thine own. Take not vain complacency in any gift of God; for he who consents 118thereto defiles the aspect of his soul with a most foul stain. Avoid carefully all hardness and obstinacy in thy own opinion, for they greatly hinder the grace of God and spiritual progress. Flee also unbecoming disputes, choosing rather to seem overcome than to lose the holy virtue of humility. Even if thou art obliged, in defence of the faith and of truth, to assert anything strongly; yet thou must not bear thyself proudly, nor be more violent or agitated than is fitting.

In doubtful cases, seek with a submissive mind to know the will of God from one who fears God, and God will direct thee and protect thee. Learn to abandon readily thy judgment, thy will, and thy desires, for God’s sake. Since it is difficult always to know for certain what desires are from God, a man ought to be ready to renounce even those things which he thinks he rightly desires, and to say to God: “O Lord, let not my will be done, but what Thou wiliest, and what is most to Thy honour.”