be able, for the greatness of his fear, to run after or to fly amongst the vanities and the devices of this world, which are so many occasions of damnation. We see now-a-days men of the world laboring and toiling much, and putting themselves in much bodily peril, in order to acquire these deceitful riches; and then when they have labored and acquired much, in a moment they die, leaving behind them all they have gathered together in this life.
And therefore it is not meet that we should trust to this fallacious world, which will deceive all who trust in it, because the nature of it is to lie. But he who would be great, and very rich, will seek and will love the eternal riches, which ever satisfy, and never disgust, or grow less. If we will not err, let us follow the example of the beasts of the field and of the birds, who when they have had enough are content, and seek no more than to live from hour to hour, according to their necessities; thus should man also be content with satisfying his temporal necessities, and not seek after superfluities.
Brother Giles used to say, that the ant was not so pleasing to St. Francis as other creatures, on account of the great solicitude which it has to collect and lay up a store of grain in the summer-time, for the winter; he said that the birds pleased him much better, because they collect nothing on one day for the next. Yet the ants give us an example of foresight in this summer-time of our present life, that we may not be found empty and fruitless when the winter of our last and final judgment arrives.
On Holy Chastity.
Our frail and miserable human flesh resembles the swine, which ever delight in wallowing in the mire, looking on the mire as their greatest delectation. Our flesh is the devil's champion, for it combats and resists in all things that which is according to God, and for our own salvation.
A Brother once asked Brother Giles thus: " Father, teach me in what manner we may guard against carnal vices; " to which Brother Giles replied: " My Brother, he who would move a heavy weight, or great stone out of his way, must do so rather by skill than by force. And thus we also, if we would overcome carnal vices, and acquire the virtue of Chastity, shall rather attain thereto by humility, and by a good and discreet spiritual rule, than by our own presumptuous austerities, and the weight of much penance. All vices trouble and obscure this holy and resplendent Chastity; because Chastity is like to a clear mirror, which is dimmed and obscured, not only by contact with unclean things, but even by a man's breath.
"And it is impossible for one to attain to any spiritual grace, so long as he finds himself inclined to carnal concupiscence: and thus, worry thyself as thou wilt, thou wilt find no other remedy or way of attaining spiritual grace, but by overcoming all carnal vices. Therefore combat valiantly against thy sensual and fragile flesh, thy true enemy, which would thwart thee both day and night; which mortal enemy of our flesh, if a man subdue, of a surety all his other enemies shall be subdued, and he shall quickly attain to spiritual grace, and to a state of virtue and perfection."
Brother Giles said also: "Amongst all the other virtues, I prefer the virtue of Chastity: because most sweet Chastity contains alone in itself all perfection; but there is no other virtue which can be perfect without Chastity." A Brother once asked Brother Giles: " Father, is not the virtue of Charity greater, and more excellent than Chastity?" To which Brother Giles answered: "And tell me, my Brother, what is more chaste than holy Charity? " Many a time did Brother Giles sing this canticle: " O Holy Chastity, how good thou art! Verily thou art precious, and such and so great is thy fragrance, that he who has not tasted thee knows not thy worth. Therefore the foolish do not understand thy value."
A Brother asked Brother Giles thus: " Father, tell me, I pray thee, thou who dost so commend Chastity, wherein consists Chastity? " To whom Brother Giles replied: " My Brother, I tell thee, that rightly is Chastity called the careful custody and continual guard of all the senses, corporal and spiritual, by which they are kept pure and immaculate for God alone."
On Temptation.
One cannot enjoy in peace and tranquility the great graces which he receives from God; for many contradictions, many disturbances and adversities,
