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| Chapter XIX. Remedies by which we can overcome vainglory.
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Chapter XIX.
Remedies by which we can overcome vainglory.
And so the athlete of
Christ who desires to strive lawfully in this true and spiritual
combat, should strive by all means to overcome this changeable monster
of many shapes, which, as it attacks us on every side like some
manifold wickedness, we can escape by such a remedy as this; viz.,
thinking on that saying of David: “The Lord hath scattered the
bones of those who please men.”1017
To begin with we should not allow ourselves to do anything at the
suggestion of vanity, and for the sake of obtaining vainglory. Next,
when we have begun a thing well, we should endeavour to maintain it
with just the same care, for fear lest afterwards the malady of
vainglory should creep in and make void all the fruits of our labours.
And anything which is of very little use or value in the common life of
the brethren, we should avoid as leading to boasting; and whatever
would render us remarkable amongst the others, and for which credit
would be gained among men, as if we were the only people who could do
it, this should be shunned by us. For by these signs the deadly taint
of vainglory will be shown to cling to us: which we shall most easily
escape if we consider that we shall not merely lose the fruits of those
labours of ours which we have performed at the suggestion of vainglory,
but that we shall also be guilty of a great sin, and as impious persons
undergo eternal punishments, inasmuch as we have wronged God by doing
for the favour of men what we ought to have done for His sake, and are
convicted by Him who knows all secrets of having preferred men to God,
and the praise of the world to the praise of the
Lord.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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