§ 1. The avoiding of Singularity.

IN all thy works and exercises be discreet, prudent, thoughtful, and earnest, and be careful to preserve thy tranquillity and liberty of spirit. Worship God and serve Him, not in a negligent and perfunctory manner, but devoutly and zealously. Diligently avoid all faulty singularity. This vice of singularity is especially to be shunned by those who dwell in monasteries, and are bound to live according to a common and approved rule. There are some who take a strange delight in doing anything that is not done by others. They are better pleased if they have once fasted while their companions were eating, than if they had fasted ten times with others. But they miserably deceive themselves.