which the layman is free. He is bound in a special degree by the divine tradition of faith and morals, and that not only to observe it, but to make others to observe it. He is bound by the discipline of the Catholic Church, by the Pontifical law, which is partly common and universal, and partly the local law of the diocese to which he belongs. But beyond this he is bound by three chief obligations—that is, by the law of chastity, which is equivalent to a vow. And this obligation involves separation and abstinence from everything that can affect the inward purity of his soul, or withdraw his heart from the supreme love of his Divine Master. He can have no unbalanced human attachments. He is bound also to the spirit of poverty, and therefore to a life in the spirit of poverty. He may possess a large patrimony, and hold a rich benefice. He is not bound by law to give his patrimony to the poor. He may lawfully spend on himself and his house. But all things that are lawful are not therefore fitting or sacerdotal. Of his benefice he may take his due maintenance, but all beyond ought to go to pious uses. He may be rich, but if he would live as a priest, he ought to live as a poor man. If he live as a rich man, even though he commit no sin, he does not live like his Master. And the servant ought not to be above his Lord. In
