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And that you may be able to attain all this, and continually remain
subject to this spiritual rule, you must observe these three things in the
congregation: viz.: that as the Psalmist says: "I was like a deaf man and
heard not and as one that is dumb who doth not open his mouth; and I became
as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth there are no reproofs," so
you also should walk as one that is deaf and dumb and blind, so that--
putting aside the contemplation of him who has been rightly chosen by you
as your model of perfection--you should be like a blind man and not see any
of those things which you find to be unedifying, nor be influenced by
the authority or fashion of those who do these things, and give yourself up
to what is worse and what you formerly condemned. If you hear any one
disobedient or insubordinate or disparaging another or doing anything
different from what was taught to you, you should not go wrong and be led
astray by such an example to imitate him; but, "like a deaf man," as if you
had never heard it, you should pass it all by. If insults are offered to
you or to any one else, or wrongs done, be immovable, and as far as an
answer in retaliation is concerned be silent "as one that is dumb," always
singing in your heart this verse of the Psalmist: "I said I will take heed
to my ways that I offend not with my tongue. I set a guard to my mouth
when the sinner stood before me. I was dumb and was humbled and kept
silence from good things." But cultivate above everything this fourth
thing which adorns and graces those three of which we have spoken above;
viz.: make yourself, as the Apostle directs, a fool in this world that
you may become wise, exercising no discrimination and judgment of your own
on any of those matters which are commanded to you, but always showing
obedience with all simplicity and faith, judging that alone to be holy,
useful, and wise which God's law or the decision of your superior declares
to you to be such. For built up on such a system of instruction you may
continue forever under this discipline, and not fall away from the
monastery in consequence of any temptations or devices of the enemy.
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