§ 3. Obedience.

Be ever ready to obey: because the least work done by true obedience is more pleasing to God than a great work done by thy own will. For it is better to pick up straws out of simple obedience, than of thy own will to give thy mind to the sublime contemplation of heavenly things: and he obtains more of the divine favour who, out of pure obedience, eats soberly and moderately to the praise of God, than he who, of his own will, undertakes the most rigid abstinence. 119Obedience is the eldest daughter of humility; it renders man fit to receive every grace, and is the safest way to heaven.

If any one will not obey in those things in which he is bound to obey, and is bold, rude, and contumacious towards his superiors, that man is most hateful to God. A certain virgin of exceeding holiness, seeing in spirit the soul of a certain monk who was sup posed to have led a good life, grievously tormented in purgatory, she enquired of God for what reason that soul was not in heaven. And the Lord answered her in this manner: “That monk would not humbly obey and consent to the will of his Abbot and Superior in all good things; whatever was done by the Abbot displeased him, for he esteemed himself to be wiser than he, and to be able to act better on all occasions.”

When thou art reproved, receive the reproof with a tranquil and gentle mind, and readily acknowledge thy fault. If it be necessary to excuse thyself, do it briefly, modestly, and humbly.