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I HAVE heard while I have been in this district a thing which I shudder
and am ashamed to recall; viz., that one of the juniors--when he was
reproved by his Abbot because he had shown signs of throwing off the
humility, of which he had made trial for a short time at his renunciation
of the world, and of being puffed up with diabolical pride--most
impertinently answered "Did I humiliate myself for a time on purpose to be
always in subjection?" And at this wanton and wicked reply of his the elder
was utterly aghast, and could say nothing, as if he had received this
answer from old Lucifer himself and not from a man; so that he could not
possibly utter a word against such impudence, but only let fall sighs and
groans from his heart; turning over in silence in his mind that which is
said of our Saviour: "Who being in the form of God humbled Himself and
became obedient"--not, as the man said who was seized with a diabolical
spirit of pride, "for a time," but "even to death."
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