OF KEEPING HUMILITY FROM THE CONSIDERATION OF OUR OWN WEAKNESS.pdf

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OF KEEPING HUMILITY FROM THE CONSIDERATION OF OUR OWN

WEAKNESS

WHEN you have done all the things that are commanded you: say, "We are unprofitable servants." The

present word of Our Lord Jesus Christ instructs us much to the guarding of humility: and to the shutting

out of all vain glory and swelling. It especially warns the desirous of high places, to be mindful of their

own weakness and negligence; and not to boast of their deeds, although well done according to the

judgement of men; but, fearful of the judgement of God above them, rather humbly to implore His

mercy: than presume on their own merits. For thus the holy and humble David, tremblingly calls to

God: "Enter not into judgement with Thy servant: for in Thy sight no man living shall be justified." See

how base should be thy esteem of thyself: how seriously thou shouldst fear the judgement of Heaven:

who art far from the holiness of David, the great King and prophet. Neither king, nor prophet, nor holy,

nor chosen according to God's heart: hast thou ever merited to be called as was he. He, however,

fulfilled the word of Our Lord, acknowledging himself an unprofitable servant: even calling himself an

insect, a dog and a worm: having no high thought of himself after his mighty deeds. Bring back to

memory the evils thou hast perpetrated: the vices of the present, the dangers of the future: and thou

shalt not be by any means high-minded: but shalt rather fear, and declare thyself base and useless.

God has no need of thy service, even if thou dost well; nor wilt thou worthily please Him: unless thou

know thyself unworthy and unprofitable."When," He says, "you have done all the things that are

commanded you: say, 'We are unprofitable servants.' " If when thou hast done all the things that are

commanded, thou must say this, and hast no right to glory in aught; how vile and unworthy must thou

think thyself, when thou failest and fallest short in so many things daily: and scarcelybringest anything

to perfection. When hast thou been able for one day or hour, to live so uprightly and guardedly in the

sight of God and men: as to overlook nothing of those things that it behoved thee and became thee to

do? So great is human weakness: that these things do not escape defilement even that are praised in

the judgement of men as just. Put aside therefore all vain complacency and pride: and take heed of

the abundance of thy own unprofitableness. Be mindful of the depravity and inconstancy of thy

thoughts; and thou shalt find that thou art not only useless unto good: but liable to much evil, and

worthy of reproach and punishment. But this is the only remedy and comfort for the troubled spirit:

that for such numberless negligences and sinful stains, a man humble himself in truth, and esteem

himself inferior to all and useless; carefully redeeming his past sins and daily negligences with the coin

of confession and the shield of a good will: and often being instant in devout prayer. Set thyself then

manfully against inrushing vice: for so much does a man make progress in virtue: as he the more sternly

detests and vanquishes his vices. And although thou oft be tempted and fall: nevertheless

thoushouldst endeavour to rise again, and take up thy good resolve with greater watchfulness: and

with the prophet say, "I have sworn and determined, to keep the judgements of Thy justice." As often

therefore as thou fallest short of thy conceived purpose, and hast no strength to march forward; by no

means lose heart, or be downcast: but trusting in the Lord, with all humility and great insistence cry

and pray, "Help me and I shall be saved: and I will meditate always on Thy justifications."