CHAPTER XI.
That the Business and Concern of our Spiritual Advancement are to be undertaken not in a general, but in a particular Manner; and of what great Importance it is to put in Execution the good Intentions with which God inspires us.
The great masters of a spiritual life tell us, that one of the means most conducive to our advancement, is not to content ourselves with applying to it in a general manner, but that we must descend to particulars. Cassian relates that the Abbot Moyses, one day, in a spiritual conference, asked his religious, " What was it they aimed at by all their praying, fasting, watching, and other austerities?" When they answered, (i That it was the kingdom of heaven:" he replied, " I know very well that heaven is your last and great end; but what is the immediate and particular object by which you mean to attain your last end?" (Cass. Col. V. cap. iii. and iv.) For as a husbandman, whose principal view is to reap a plentiful crop, applies, with all possible care, to cultivate his land well, and to root out the weeds; because these means are necessary to be taken, in order to attain the object of his desires: and as a merchant, who aspires to nothing but riches, seriously considers what particular commerce may be most conducive to the increase of his wealth, then embarks into that business with his whole stock, and devotes his whole time and industry to it. In like manner, although the chief business of a religious is to work out his salvation, nevertheless, it will not be sufficient for him to undertake it in general, saying, " I intend to save my soul; I will become a perfect religious but he must consider in particular, what vice or passion chiefly opposes his advancement, what virtue he stands most m need of. It is upon these two points he must continually exercise himself, so that advancing gradually, and reflecting with attention, sometimes on one action, sometimes on another, he may more easily attain the perfection he desires. An ancient father of the desert gave the same advice to an anchoret, who, after having a long time persevered with diligence and fervour in devotion, became at last so negligent in the discharge of his spiritual exercises, that he fell into a state of tepidity and indifference; at length desiring to recover his former fervour, but imagining that all the avenues to it were closed against him, he knew not where to begin to open a passage. Upon which, the good father, in order to console and encourage him, told him this parable. — A certain man, says he, having a field, which
