Three Last and Chief Counsels for this Introduction.
At the beginning of every month, after your meditation, renew the protestation which is found in the first part, and throughout that day renew it often, saying with David: _No, I will never forget Thy law, O my God; for by it Thou hast restored me to life._ And when you feel any disorder in your soul, take your protestation in hand, and, prostrating yourself in a spirit of humility, pronounce it with all your heart: you will find great relief therein.
Make open profession of your desire to be devout; I do not say of being devout, but of desiring to be so; and be not ashamed to perform the simple and ordinary actions which ought to lead you to the love of God: boldly acknowledge that you are trying to meditate, that you would rather die than sin mortally, that you desire to frequent the sacraments, and to follow the counsel of your director (although it is often unnecessary to name him, for several reasons). This frankness in confessing that one desires to serve God, and has consecrated oneself to His love in a particular manner, is very pleasing to His divine Majesty, Who would not have anyone be ashamed of Him or of His cross; it is also a means of cutting short much of the world’s talk, and of committing ourselves by our reputation to the pursuit of our undertaking. The philosophers openly proclaimed themselves philosophers, so that they might be left to live philosophically; and we, let us frankly show ourselves desirous of devotion, so that we may be left to live devoutly. But if anyone tells you that one can live devoutly without practising these counsels and exercises, do not deny it; but answer simply that your weakness is so great that it needs more help and assistance than others require.
At the beginning of every month, after your meditation, renew the protestation which is found in the first part, and throughout that day renew it often, saying with David: _No, I will never forget Thy law, O my God; for by it Thou hast restored me to life._ And when you feel any disorder in your soul, take your protestation in hand, and, prostrating yourself in a spirit of humility, pronounce it with all your heart: you will find great relief therein.
Make open profession of your desire to be devout; I do not say of being devout, but of desiring to be so; and be not ashamed to perform the simple and ordinary actions which ought to lead you to the love of God: boldly acknowledge that you are trying to meditate, that you would rather die than sin mortally, that you desire to frequent the sacraments, and to follow the counsel of your director (although it is often unnecessary to name him, for several reasons). This frankness in confessing that one desires to serve God, and has consecrated oneself to His love in a particular manner, is very pleasing to His divine Majesty, Who would not have anyone be ashamed of Him or of His cross; it is also a means of cutting short much of the world’s talk, and of committing ourselves by our reputation to the pursuit of our undertaking. The philosophers openly proclaimed themselves philosophers, so that they might be left to live philosophically; and we, let us frankly show ourselves desirous of devotion, so that we may be left to live devoutly. But if anyone tells you that one can live devoutly without practising these counsels and exercises, do not deny it; but answer simply that your weakness is so great that it needs more help and assistance than others require.
Lastly, most dear Philothea, I conjure you, by all that is sacred in Heaven and on earth, by the Baptism you have received, by the breasts that nourished Jesus Christ, by the charitable Heart with which He loved you, and by the bowels of mercy in which you hope, continue and persevere in this blessed undertaking of the devout life: our days are passing away, death is at the door; “The trumpet,” saith Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, “soundeth the retreat: let each man prepare himself; for the judgment draweth nigh.” The mother of Saint Symphorian, seeing him led away to martyrdom, cried out as she followed him: “My son, my son, remember eternal life, look up to Heaven, and behold Him Who reigneth there: death will soon bring to an end the brief moments of this life.” My Philothea, shall I say the same to you? Look up to Heaven, and forsake it not for earth; look upon hell, and cast not yourself therein for pleasures of a moment; look upon Jesus Christ, and deny Him not for the world: and when the practice of the devout life seemeth burdensome to you, sing with Saint Francis:
For the good things that I await, Toil is but pastime to me.
Long live Jesus! to Whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
For the good things that I await, Toil is but pastime to me.
Long live Jesus! to Whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
So be it.
_Manner of reciting the Rosary devoutly, and of serving the Virgin Mary well._
You will take your rosary by the cross, which you will kiss after having used it to make the sign of the Christian upon yourself; and, placing yourself in the presence of God, you will recite the _Credo_ in its entirety.
On the first bead, you will invoke God, asking Him to accept your prayer and to aid you with His grace in saying it well.
On the first three small beads, you will ask the intercession of the most holy Virgin, saluting her, on the first bead, as the dearest daughter of God the Father; on the second, as the mother of God the Son; and on the third, as the beloved spouse of God the Holy Spirit.
At each decade, you will think upon one of the mysteries of the Rosary, as much as your leisure permits, calling to mind the mystery proposed, especially when you pronounce the most holy names of Jesus and Mary, taking care to utter these sacred names only with great inward and outward reverence. But if some other thought should come to you, such as sorrow for your sins, or a desire to amend your ways, you may dwell upon this thought throughout the entire Rosary, and especially when you pronounce the two most holy names of Jesus and Mary.
At the large bead, which is at the end of the last decade, you will thank God for the grace He has granted you in reciting the Rosary; and, passing to the three small beads that follow, you will salute the sacred Virgin Mary, beseeching her, on the first, to offer your understanding to the eternal Father, that you may ever contemplate His mercies; on the second, you will beseech her to offer your memory to the Son, that you may continually keep His passion and death in mind; on the third, you will beseech her to offer your will to the Holy Spirit, that you may ever be inflamed with His holy love.
_Manner of reciting the Rosary devoutly, and of serving the Virgin Mary well._
You will take your rosary by the cross, which you will kiss after having used it to make the sign of the Christian upon yourself; and, placing yourself in the presence of God, you will recite the _Credo_ in its entirety.
On the first bead, you will invoke God, asking Him to accept your prayer and to aid you with His grace in saying it well.
On the first three small beads, you will ask the intercession of the most holy Virgin, saluting her, on the first bead, as the dearest daughter of God the Father; on the second, as the mother of God the Son; and on the third, as the beloved spouse of God the Holy Spirit.
At each decade, you will think upon one of the mysteries of the Rosary, as much as your leisure permits, calling to mind the mystery proposed, especially when you pronounce the most holy names of Jesus and Mary, taking care to utter these sacred names only with great inward and outward reverence. But if some other thought should come to you, such as sorrow for your sins, or a desire to amend your ways, you may dwell upon this thought throughout the entire Rosary, and especially when you pronounce the two most holy names of Jesus and Mary.
At the large bead, which is at the end of the last decade, you will thank God for the grace He has granted you in reciting the Rosary; and, passing to the three small beads that follow, you will salute the sacred Virgin Mary, beseeching her, on the first, to offer your understanding to the eternal Father, that you may ever contemplate His mercies; on the second, you will beseech her to offer your memory to the Son, that you may continually keep His passion and death in mind; on the third, you will beseech her to offer your will to the Holy Spirit, that you may ever be inflamed with His holy love.
At the large bead which concludes, you shall beseech the divine Majesty to accept all this for His glory, and for the good of His Church, within whose bosom you shall ask Him graciously to keep you, and to bring back all those who have strayed from it. You shall then pray for all your friends, and conclude as you began, with the profession of faith, saying the _Credo_, and making the sign of the cross.
You shall wear the rosary at your belt, or in some other visible place, as a holy token whereby you profess that you desire to be a servant of God our Saviour, and of His most holy spouse, virgin and mother, and that you wish to live as a true child of the holy Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Church. Amen.
_Prayer of the Church for the feast day of Saint Francis de Sales, composed by Pope Alexander VII._
O God! Who didst will that, for the salvation of souls, Saint Francis, Thy confessor and bishop, should become all things to all men, grant us the grace that, being filled with the sweetness of Thy divine charity, we may, under the guidance of his counsels, and through the intercession of his merits, attain to the eternal enjoyment of Thy glory. This we beseech Thee through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE END.
TABLE OF CHAPTERS.
You shall wear the rosary at your belt, or in some other visible place, as a holy token whereby you profess that you desire to be a servant of God our Saviour, and of His most holy spouse, virgin and mother, and that you wish to live as a true child of the holy Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Church. Amen.
_Prayer of the Church for the feast day of Saint Francis de Sales, composed by Pope Alexander VII._
O God! Who didst will that, for the salvation of souls, Saint Francis, Thy confessor and bishop, should become all things to all men, grant us the grace that, being filled with the sweetness of Thy divine charity, we may, under the guidance of his counsels, and through the intercession of his merits, attain to the eternal enjoyment of Thy glory. This we beseech Thee through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE END.
TABLE OF CHAPTERS.
Sentiment of Alexander VII concerning this work. _pag._
Dedication Prayer. v
Preface. vij
FIRST PART,
_Containing the counsels and exercises proper to lead the soul, from its first desire for the devout life, to a firm resolve to embrace it._
Chap. I. Description of true devotion. 1
II. Properties and excellence of devotion. 6
III. That devotion is suited to all kinds of callings and professions. 9
IV. Of the need for a director in entering upon and advancing in devotion. 11
V. That one must begin by purifying the soul. 16
VI. Of the first cutting away, which is that of mortal sins. 20
VII. Of the second cutting away, which is that of attachments to sin. 22
VIII. Of the means of effecting this second cutting away. 24
IX. First meditation.--On the Creation. 26
X. Second meditation.--On the end for which we are created. 29
XI. Third meditation.--On the benefits of God. 32
XII. Fourth meditation.--On sins. 36
Chap. XIII. Fifth meditation.--On death. _p._ 39
XIV. Sixth meditation.--On judgment. 42
XV. Seventh meditation.--On hell. 45
XVI. Eighth meditation.--On Paradise. 47
XVII. Ninth meditation.--On the choice of Paradise. 50
XVIII. Tenth meditation.--On the choice of the devout life. 54
XIX. How one must make a general confession. 57
XX. Authentic protestation to engrave in the soul the resolve to serve God, and to conclude the acts of penance. 60
Dedication Prayer. v
Preface. vij
FIRST PART,
_Containing the counsels and exercises proper to lead the soul, from its first desire for the devout life, to a firm resolve to embrace it._
Chap. I. Description of true devotion. 1
II. Properties and excellence of devotion. 6
III. That devotion is suited to all kinds of callings and professions. 9
IV. Of the need for a director in entering upon and advancing in devotion. 11
V. That one must begin by purifying the soul. 16
VI. Of the first cutting away, which is that of mortal sins. 20
VII. Of the second cutting away, which is that of attachments to sin. 22
VIII. Of the means of effecting this second cutting away. 24
IX. First meditation.--On the Creation. 26
X. Second meditation.--On the end for which we are created. 29
XI. Third meditation.--On the benefits of God. 32
XII. Fourth meditation.--On sins. 36
Chap. XIII. Fifth meditation.--On death. _p._ 39
XIV. Sixth meditation.--On judgment. 42
XV. Seventh meditation.--On hell. 45
XVI. Eighth meditation.--On Paradise. 47
XVII. Ninth meditation.--On the choice of Paradise. 50
XVIII. Tenth meditation.--On the choice of the devout life. 54
XIX. How one must make a general confession. 57
XX. Authentic protestation to engrave in the soul the resolve to serve God, and to conclude the acts of penance. 60
XXI. Conclusion of what has been said concerning the first degree of purity of the soul. 63
XXII. That we must free ourselves from all affection for venial sins. 65
XXIII. That we must rid ourselves of affection for useless and dangerous things. 69
XXIV. That we must rid ourselves of evil inclinations. 71
SECOND PART,
_Containing various counsels for the elevation of the soul to God by prayer and the sacraments._
Chap. I. Of the necessity of prayer. 73
II. A short method for meditating well; and first, of the presence of God; first point of the preparation. 78
III. Of invocation; second point of the preparation. 82
IV. Of the setting forth of the mystery; third point of the preparation. 84
V. Of considerations; second part of the meditation. 86
VI. Of affections and resolutions; third part of the meditation. 87
Chap. VII. Of the conclusion and the spiritual nosegay. _p._ 89
VIII. Some very useful counsels concerning meditation. 90
IX. Of spiritual drynesses that occur in meditation. 94
X. Of certain other exercises, and first of the morning exercise. 97
XI. Of the evening exercise and the examination of conscience; second exercise. 99
XII. Of spiritual retreat, third exercise. 101
XIII. Of aspirations or ejaculatory prayers, and of good thoughts; fourth exercise. 105
XIV. Of the most holy Mass, and the manner of hearing it; fifth exercise. 114
XXII. That we must free ourselves from all affection for venial sins. 65
XXIII. That we must rid ourselves of affection for useless and dangerous things. 69
XXIV. That we must rid ourselves of evil inclinations. 71
SECOND PART,
_Containing various counsels for the elevation of the soul to God by prayer and the sacraments._
Chap. I. Of the necessity of prayer. 73
II. A short method for meditating well; and first, of the presence of God; first point of the preparation. 78
III. Of invocation; second point of the preparation. 82
IV. Of the setting forth of the mystery; third point of the preparation. 84
V. Of considerations; second part of the meditation. 86
VI. Of affections and resolutions; third part of the meditation. 87
Chap. VII. Of the conclusion and the spiritual nosegay. _p._ 89
VIII. Some very useful counsels concerning meditation. 90
IX. Of spiritual drynesses that occur in meditation. 94
X. Of certain other exercises, and first of the morning exercise. 97
XI. Of the evening exercise and the examination of conscience; second exercise. 99
XII. Of spiritual retreat, third exercise. 101
XIII. Of aspirations or ejaculatory prayers, and of good thoughts; fourth exercise. 105
XIV. Of the most holy Mass, and the manner of hearing it; fifth exercise. 114
XV. Of the other public and common exercises of devotion. 118
XVI. That the saints ought to be honoured and invoked. 120
XVII. How we ought to hear and read the word of God. 122
XVIII. How we ought to receive inspirations. 125
XIX. Of holy confession. 129
XX. Of frequent communion. 135
XXI. How we ought to communicate. 141
THIRD PART,
_Containing several counsels touching the exercise of the virtues._
Chap. I. Of the choice which we ought to make as to the exercise of the virtues. 145
II. Continuation of the same subject. 153
III. Of patience. 158
IV. Of humility in outward things. 166
V. Of more inward humility. 171
VI. That humility maketh us love our own abjection. 179
VII. How we ought to preserve a good reputation while practising humility. 184
Chap. VIII. Of gentleness towards our neighbour, and the remedy against anger. _pag._ 191
IX. Of gentleness towards ourselves. 198
X. That we ought to apply ourselves to our affairs with care, without eagerness or trouble. 202
XI. Of obedience. 206
XII. Of chastity. 210
XIII. Counsels for preserving chastity. 216
XIV. Of poverty of spirit amidst riches. 221
XV. How we ought to practise real poverty amidst riches. 225
XVI. How we ought to practise richness of spirit amidst real poverty. 232
XVII. Of friendship, and first of the bad kind. 235
XVI. That the saints ought to be honoured and invoked. 120
XVII. How we ought to hear and read the word of God. 122
XVIII. How we ought to receive inspirations. 125
XIX. Of holy confession. 129
XX. Of frequent communion. 135
XXI. How we ought to communicate. 141
THIRD PART,
_Containing several counsels touching the exercise of the virtues._
Chap. I. Of the choice which we ought to make as to the exercise of the virtues. 145
II. Continuation of the same subject. 153
III. Of patience. 158
IV. Of humility in outward things. 166
V. Of more inward humility. 171
VI. That humility maketh us love our own abjection. 179
VII. How we ought to preserve a good reputation while practising humility. 184
Chap. VIII. Of gentleness towards our neighbour, and the remedy against anger. _pag._ 191
IX. Of gentleness towards ourselves. 198
X. That we ought to apply ourselves to our affairs with care, without eagerness or trouble. 202
XI. Of obedience. 206
XII. Of chastity. 210
XIII. Counsels for preserving chastity. 216
XIV. Of poverty of spirit amidst riches. 221
XV. How we ought to practise real poverty amidst riches. 225
XVI. How we ought to practise richness of spirit amidst real poverty. 232
XVII. Of friendship, and first of the bad kind. 235
XVIII. Of Sensual Friendships. 238
XIX. Of True Friendships. 244
XX. Of the Difference between True and Vain Friendships. 249
XXI. Advice and Remedies against Evil Friendships. 252
XXII. Some Further Advice concerning Friendships. 257
XXIII. Of the Exercises of Exterior Mortification. 260
XXIV. Of Company and Solitude. 269
XXV. Of the Decency of Dress. 274
XXVI. Of Speech, and First, How We Ought to Speak of God. 278
XXVII. Of Decency in Speech, and of the Respect Due to Persons. 280
XXVIII. Of Rash Judgments. 283
XXIX. Of Detraction. 292
XXX. Some Further Advice concerning Speech. 300
XXXI. Of Pastimes and Games; and First, of Those Which Are Permitted and Praiseworthy. 303
XXXII. Of Forbidden Games. 306
Chap. XXXIII. Of Balls and Other Pastimes That Are Permitted, but Dangerous. _Pag._ 308
XXXIV. When One May Play or Dance. 312
XXXV. That We Must Be Faithful in Small Things as Well as in Great. 313
XXXVI. That We Must Have a Just and Reasonable Mind. 318
XXXVII. Of Desires. 321
XXXVIII. Advice for Married People. 325
XXXIX. Of the Decency of the Marriage Bed. 337
XL. Advice for Widows. 343
XLI. Two Words to Virgins. 351
FOURTH PART,
_Containing the Necessary Advice against the Most Ordinary Temptations._
Chap. I. That We Must Not Give Heed to the Words of the Children of This World. 353
XIX. Of True Friendships. 244
XX. Of the Difference between True and Vain Friendships. 249
XXI. Advice and Remedies against Evil Friendships. 252
XXII. Some Further Advice concerning Friendships. 257
XXIII. Of the Exercises of Exterior Mortification. 260
XXIV. Of Company and Solitude. 269
XXV. Of the Decency of Dress. 274
XXVI. Of Speech, and First, How We Ought to Speak of God. 278
XXVII. Of Decency in Speech, and of the Respect Due to Persons. 280
XXVIII. Of Rash Judgments. 283
XXIX. Of Detraction. 292
XXX. Some Further Advice concerning Speech. 300
XXXI. Of Pastimes and Games; and First, of Those Which Are Permitted and Praiseworthy. 303
XXXII. Of Forbidden Games. 306
Chap. XXXIII. Of Balls and Other Pastimes That Are Permitted, but Dangerous. _Pag._ 308
XXXIV. When One May Play or Dance. 312
XXXV. That We Must Be Faithful in Small Things as Well as in Great. 313
XXXVI. That We Must Have a Just and Reasonable Mind. 318
XXXVII. Of Desires. 321
XXXVIII. Advice for Married People. 325
XXXIX. Of the Decency of the Marriage Bed. 337
XL. Advice for Widows. 343
XLI. Two Words to Virgins. 351
FOURTH PART,
_Containing the Necessary Advice against the Most Ordinary Temptations._
Chap. I. That We Must Not Give Heed to the Words of the Children of This World. 353
II. That One Must Take Heart. 357
III. Of the Nature of Temptations, and of the Difference between Feeling Temptation and Consenting to It. 360
IV. Two Remarkable Examples on This Subject. 364
V. Encouragement to the Soul That Is in the Fire of Temptations. 367
VI. How Temptation and Delight May Be Sins. 369
VII. Remedy for Great Temptations. 373
VIII. That One Must Resist Small Temptations. 376
IX. How One Must Remedy Small Temptations. 378
X. How One Must Strengthen One’s Heart against Temptations. 380
XI. Of Uneasiness. 382
XII. Of Sadness. 387
XIII. Of Spiritual and Sensible Consolations, and How One Must Make Use of Them. 391
Chap. XIV. Of Spiritual Dryness and Barrenness. _Pag._ 402
XV. Confirmation and Elucidation of What Has Been Said by a Remarkable Example. 411
FIFTH PART,
_Containing Exercises and Counsels Suitable for Renewing the Soul, and Confirming It in Devotion._
Chap. I. That One Must Renew One’s Good Resolutions Every Year by the Following Exercises. 418
II. Consideration of the Grace God Has Granted Us in Calling Us to His Service, in Accordance with the Protestation Set Forth in the First Part. 420
III. Of the Examination of Our Soul as to Its Progress in the Devout Life. 424
IV. Examination of the State of Our Soul toward God. 427
III. Of the Nature of Temptations, and of the Difference between Feeling Temptation and Consenting to It. 360
IV. Two Remarkable Examples on This Subject. 364
V. Encouragement to the Soul That Is in the Fire of Temptations. 367
VI. How Temptation and Delight May Be Sins. 369
VII. Remedy for Great Temptations. 373
VIII. That One Must Resist Small Temptations. 376
IX. How One Must Remedy Small Temptations. 378
X. How One Must Strengthen One’s Heart against Temptations. 380
XI. Of Uneasiness. 382
XII. Of Sadness. 387
XIII. Of Spiritual and Sensible Consolations, and How One Must Make Use of Them. 391
Chap. XIV. Of Spiritual Dryness and Barrenness. _Pag._ 402
XV. Confirmation and Elucidation of What Has Been Said by a Remarkable Example. 411
FIFTH PART,
_Containing Exercises and Counsels Suitable for Renewing the Soul, and Confirming It in Devotion._
Chap. I. That One Must Renew One’s Good Resolutions Every Year by the Following Exercises. 418
II. Consideration of the Grace God Has Granted Us in Calling Us to His Service, in Accordance with the Protestation Set Forth in the First Part. 420
III. Of the Examination of Our Soul as to Its Progress in the Devout Life. 424
IV. Examination of the State of Our Soul toward God. 427
V. Examination of the state of our soul with regard to ourselves. 430
VI. Examination of the state of our soul with regard to our neighbour. 432
VII. Examination of the affections of our soul. 433
VIII. Affections which should follow the examination. 435
IX. Considerations proper for renewing our good resolutions. 436
X. First consideration on the excellence of our souls. 437
XI. Second consideration on the excellence of the virtues. 439
XII. Third consideration on the example of the saints. 440
XIII. Fourth consideration on the love which Jesus Christ bears us. 442
XIV. Fifth consideration on the eternal love of God for us. 444
Chap. XV. General affections on the foregoing considerations, and conclusion of the exercise. _P._ 446
XVI. On the sentiments which must be preserved after this exercise. 448
XVII. Answers to two objections which may be made concerning this Introduction. 449
XVIII. Three final and chief counsels for this Introduction. 449
Method of devoutly reciting the rosary, and of serving the Virgin Mary well. 455
Prayer of the Church for the feast day of Saint Francis de Sales, composed by Pope Alexander VII. 457
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End of Project Gutenberg's Introduction to the Devout Life, by Francis de Sales
VI. Examination of the state of our soul with regard to our neighbour. 432
VII. Examination of the affections of our soul. 433
VIII. Affections which should follow the examination. 435
IX. Considerations proper for renewing our good resolutions. 436
X. First consideration on the excellence of our souls. 437
XI. Second consideration on the excellence of the virtues. 439
XII. Third consideration on the example of the saints. 440
XIII. Fourth consideration on the love which Jesus Christ bears us. 442
XIV. Fifth consideration on the eternal love of God for us. 444
Chap. XV. General affections on the foregoing considerations, and conclusion of the exercise. _P._ 446
XVI. On the sentiments which must be preserved after this exercise. 448
XVII. Answers to two objections which may be made concerning this Introduction. 449
XVIII. Three final and chief counsels for this Introduction. 449
Method of devoutly reciting the rosary, and of serving the Virgin Mary well. 455
Prayer of the Church for the feast day of Saint Francis de Sales, composed by Pope Alexander VII. 457
END OF THE TABLE.
End of Project Gutenberg's Introduction to the Devout Life, by Francis de Sales