Holy Rule/Chapter 7 Of Humility (cont.)

 The third degree of humility is, that for the love of God a man subject himself to a Superior in all obedience, imitating the Lord, of whom the Apostle saith: "He became obedient unto death" (Phil 2:8).

Hieromartyr Cyprian and Virgin-Martyr Justina of Nicomedia.
Blessed Andrew, Fool-for-Christ at Constantinople. St. Anna of Kashin. Blessed Cyprian of Suzdal, Fool-for-Christ. St. Cassian, Monk of Uglich. Martyrs David and Constantine, Princes of Georgia. New Maryr George of Philadelphia in Asia Minor (Mt. Athos). St. Damaris of Athens. St. Theophilos the Confessor. Great Martyr Theodore Gavra of Atran in Chaldea. Hieromartyr Leger, Bishop of Autun.

HR/Chapter 7 Of Humility (cont.)

The fourth degree of humility is, that, if hard and distasteful things are commanded, nay, even though injuries are inflicted, he accept them with patience and even temper, and not grow weary or give up, but hold out, as the Scripture saith: "He that shall persevere unto the end shall be saved" (Mt 10:22). And again: "Let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord" (Ps 26[27]:14). And showing that a faithful man ought even to bear every disagreeable thing for the Lord, it saith in the person of the suffering: "For Thy sake we suffer death all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter" (Rom 8:36; Ps 43[44]:22). And secure in the hope of the divine reward, they go on joyfully, saying: "But in all these things we overcome because of Him that hath loved us" (Rom 8:37). And likewise in another place the Scripture saith: "Thou, O God, hast proved us; Thou hast tried us by fire as silver is tried; Thou hast brought us into a net, Thou hast laid afflictions on our back" (Ps 65[66]:10-11). And to show us that we ought to be under a Superior, it continueth, saying: "Thou hast set men over our heads" (Ps 65[66]:12). And fulfilling the command of the Lord by patience also in adversities and injuries, when struck on the one cheek they turn also the other; the despoiler of their coat they give their cloak also; and when forced to go one mile they go two (cf Mt 5:39-41); with the Apostle Paul they bear with false brethren and "bless those who curse them" (2 Cor 11:26; 1 Cor 4:12).

Hieromartyr Hierotheos, Bishop of Athens.

HR/ Chapter 7 Of Humility (cont.)

The sixth degree of humility is, when a monk is content with the meanest and worst of everything, and in all that is enjoined him holdeth himself as a bad and worthless workman, saying with the Prophet: "I am brought to nothing and I knew it not; I am become as a beast before Thee, and I am always with Thee" (Ps 72[73]:22-23).

Martyr Charitina of Amisos.

Sts. Peter, Alexis, Jonah, Philip, Hermogenes, and Tikhon, Metropolitans of Moscow. Martyr Mamelchthe of Persia. Hieromartyr Dionysios, Bishop of Alexandria. St. Damian the Healer and Sts. Jeremiah and Matthew, clairvoyants of the Kiev Caves. St. Charitina, Princess of Lithuania. St. Cosmas, Abbot in Bithynia. St. Gregory of Chandzoe in Georgia. St. Eudokimos the Unknown, Monk of Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos. St. Methodia of Cimola.

HR/Chapter 7 Of Humility (cont.)

The seventh degree of humility is, when, not only with his tongue he declareth, but also in his inmost soul believeth, that he is the lowest and vilest of men, humbling himself and saying with the Prophet: "But I am a worm and no man, the reproach of men and the outcast of the people" (Ps 21[22]:7). "I have been exalted and humbled and confounded" (Ps 87[88]:16). And also: "It is good for me that Thou hast humbled me, that I may learn Thy commandments" (Ps 118[119]:71,73).

Holy Glorious Apostle Thomas.  Woman-Martyr Eroteïda of Cappadocia. New Martyr Makarios at Kion in Bithynia (Mt. Athos). St. Cindeos of Cyprus, Monk.

HR/Chapter 7 Of Humility (cont.)

 The eighth degree of humility is, when a monk doeth nothing but what is sanctioned by the common rule of the monastery and the example of his elders.

HR/Chapter 7 Of Humility (cont.)

The tenth degree of humility is, when a monk is not easily moved and quick for laughter, for it is written: "The fool exalteth his voice in laughter" (Sir 21:23).

Holy Apostle James, Son of Alphæos.

St. Andronicos and his wife St. Athanasia of Egypt. Righteous Forefather Abraham and his nephew Righteous Lot. St. Peter of Galatia. St. Poplia the Confessor of Antioch. St. Stephen the New of Serbia (same as 7/19). Holy Hermit Gunther. St. Dorotheos, Bishop of Tyre. 

HR/Chapter 7 Of Humility (cont.)

 The eleventh degree of humility is, that, when a monk speaketh, he speak gently and without laughter, humbly and with gravity, with few and sensible words, and that he be not loud of voice, as it is written: "The wise man is known by the fewness of his words."

HR/Chapter 7 Of Humility (cont.)

The twelfth degree of humility is, when a monk is not only humble of heart, but always letteth it appear also in his whole exterior to all that see him; namely, at the Work of God, in the garden, on a journey, in the field, or wherever he may be, sitting, walking, or standing, let him always have his head bowed down, his eyes fixed on the ground, ever holding himself guilty of his sins, thinking that he is already standing before the dread judgment seat of God, and always saying to himself in his heart what the publican in the Gospel said, with his eyes fixed on the ground: "Lord, I am a sinner and not worthy to lift up mine eyes to heaven" (Lk 18:13); and again with the Prophet: "I am bowed down and humbled exceedingly" (Ps 37[38]:7-9; Ps 118[119]:107).

Having, therefore, ascended all these degrees of humility, the monk will presently arrive at that love of God, which being perfect, casteth out fear (1 Jn 4:18). In virtue of this love all things which at first he observed not without fear, he will now begin to keep without any effort, and as it were, naturally by force of habit, no longer from the fear of hell, but from the love of Christ, from the very habit of good and the pleasure in virtue. May the Lord be pleased to manifest all this by His Holy Spirit in His laborer now cleansed from vice and sin.

Holy Apostle Philip of the Seventy, one of the seven deacons; St. Theophanes the Confessor and Hymnographer, Bishop of Nicæa.

Martyr Zenaida and Philonilla of Tarsus in Cilicia. Elder Leonid of Optina. St. Theophanes, Faster of the Kiev Caves. Sts. Nektarios, Arsakios, and Sisinios, Patriarchs of Constantinople. Commemoration of the miracles from the Icon of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Beret of Phoenicia. St. Ethelburga, Abbess of Barking. St. Gonmar of Lier (775). St. Kenneth, Abbot of Aghaboe and the Outer Hebrides. St. Agilbert, Bishop of Dorchester-on-Thames and Paris.

HR/CHAPTER 8  Of the Divine Office during the Night

 Making due allowance for circumstances, the brethren will rise during the winter season, that is, from the calends of November till Easter, at the eighth hour of the night; so that, having rested till a little after midnight, they may rise refreshed. The time, however, which remains over after the night office (Matins) will be employed in study by those of the brethren who still have some parts of the psalms and the lessons to learn.

 But from Easter to the aforesaid calends, let the hour for celebrating the night office (Matins) be so arranged, that after a very short interval, during which the brethren may go out for the necessities of nature, the morning office (Lauds), which is to be said at the break of day, may follow presently.

Martyrs Probos, Tarachos, and Andronicos at Tarsus in Cilicia.

St. Symeon the New Theologian. Martyr Domnina of Anazarbus. St. Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours. Sts. Amphilochios, Makarios, and Tarasios, Abbots, and Theodosios, Monk, of Glushetskry (Vologda). St. Wilfrid, Bishop of Hexham. Virgin Martyr Anastasia of Rome. St. Theodore, Bishop of Ephesus. Martyrs Maleftha and Anthia. St. John, Bishop of Damascus. St. Theodosios the God--bearer of Arsinoe in Cyprus. Martyr King Edwin of Northumbria. Martyrs Juventios, Maximos, Dorotheos, and Diodoros at Antioch. Seventy Martyrs.

HR/ Chapter 9 How Many Psalms Are to Be Said at the Night Office

During the winter season, having in the first place said the verse: Deus, in adjutorium meum intende; Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina, there is next to be said three times, Domine, labia mea aperies, et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam (Ps 50[51]:17). To this the third psalm and the Gloria are to be added. After this the 94th psalm with its antiphon is to be said or chanted. Hereupon let a hymn follow, and after that six psalms with antiphons. When these and the verse have been said, let the Abbot give the blessing. All being seated on the benches, let three lessons be read alternately by the brethren from the book on the reading stand, between which let three responsories be said. Let two of the responsories be said without the Gloria, but after the third lesson, let him who is chanting say the Gloria. When the cantor beginneth to sing it, let all rise at once from their seats in honor and reverence of the Blessed Trinity.

Let the inspired books of both the Old and the New Testaments be read at the night offices, as also the expositions of them which have been made by the most eminent orthodox and Catholic Fathers.

After these three lessons with their responsories, let six other psalms follow, to be sung with Alleluia. After these let the lessons from the Apostle follow, to be said by heart, then the verse, the invocation of the litany, that is, Kyrie eleison. And thus let the night office come to an end.

Martyrs Carpos, Papylos, Agathodoros, and Agathonike at Pergamos.  Martyr Florentios of Thessaloniki. Martyr Benjamin, Deacon of Persia. St. Niketas the Confessor of Paphlagonia. St. Benjamin of the Kiev Caves. New Martyr Chryse of Bulgaria. St. Vannatios of Poitiers (Gaul). St. Comgan, Abbot of Lochalsh. Martyr Dioscoros. Martyr Antigonos

HR/ Chapter 10 How the Office Is to Be Said during the Summer Season

 From Easter till the calends of November let the whole psalmody, as explained above, be said, except that on account of the shortness of the nights, no lessons are read from the book; but instead of these three lessons, let one from the Old Testament be said from memory. Let a short responsory follow this, and let all the rest be performed as was said; namely, that never fewer than twelve psalms be said at the night office, exclusive of the third and the 94th psalm.

Martyrs Nazarios, Gervasios, Protasios, and Celsios of Milan; St. Cosmas the Hymnographer, Bishop of Maiuma.

St. Paraskeve of Serbia. Hieromartyr Silvanos of Gaza. St. Nikola Sviatosha, Prince of Chernigov and Wonderworker of the Kiev Caves. St. Cosmas, Abbot of Yakhromsk. St. Manacca, Abbess of Cornwall. St.Burchard, Bishop of Wurzburg. St. Euthymios the New of Thessaloniki, Confessor. St. Ignatios of Methymna, Archbishop of Wonderworker. St. Harold, last Orthodox King of England, and those killed with him at Hastings. St. Peter Avselamos. Forty Martyrs of Egypt and Palestine. Hieromartyr Kallistos, Pope of Rome. St. Selevan, Hermit of St. Levan. 

HR/ Chapter 11 How the Night Office Is to Be Said on Sundays

For the night office on Sunday the monks should rise earlier. At this office let the following regulations be observed, namely: after six psalms and the verse have been sung, as we arranged above, and all have been properly seated on the benches in their order, let four lessons with their responsories be read from the book, as we said above. In the fourth responsory only, let the Gloria be said by the chanter, and as soon as he beginneth it let all presently rise with reverence.

After these lessons let six other psalms with antiphons and the verse follow in order as before. After these let there be said three canticles from the Prophets, selected by the Abbot, and chanted with Alleluia. When the verse also hath been said and the Abbot hath given the blessing, let four other lessons from the New Testament be read in the order above mentioned. But after the fourth responsory let the Abbot intone the hymn Te Deum laudamus. When this hath been said, let the Abbot read the lesson from the Gospel, all standing with reverence and awe. When the Gospel hath been read let all answer Amen, and immediately the Abbot will follow up with the hymn Te decet laus, and when he hath given the blessing Lauds will begin.

Let this order of the night office be observed on Sunday the same way in all seasons, in summer as well as in winter, unless perchance (which God forbid) the brethren should rise too late and part of the lessons or the responsories would have to be shortened. Let every precaution be taken that this does not occur. If it should happen, let him through whose neglect it came about make due satisfaction for it to God in the oratory.

HR/ Chapter 12 How Lauds Are to Be Said

At Lauds on Sunday, let the 66th psalm be said first simply, without an antiphon. After that let the 50th psalm be said with Alleluia; after this let the 117th and the 62d be said; then the blessing and the praises, one lesson from the Apocalypse, said by heart, a responsory, the Ambrosian hymn, the verse and the canticle from the Gospel, the litany, and it is finished.

HR/ CHAPTER 13 How Lauds Are to Be Said on Week Days

On week days let Lauds be celebrated in the following manner, to wit: Let the 66th psalm be said without an antiphon, drawing it out a little as on Sunday, that all may arriver for the 50th, which is to be said with an antiphon. After this let two other psalms be said according to custom; namely, the 5th and the 35th on the second day, the 42d and the 56th on the third day, the 63rd and the 64th on the fourth day, the 87th and the 89th on the fifth day, the 75th and the 91st on the sixth day, and on Saturday the 142d and the canticle of Deuteronomy, which should be divided into two Glorias. On the other days, however, let the canticle from the Prophets, each for its proper day, be said as the Roman Church singeth it. After these let the psalms of praise follow; then one lesson from the Apostle, to be said from memory, the responsory, the Ambrosian hymn, the verse, the canticle from the Gospel, the litany, and it is finished.

Prophet Hosea (Osee). Translation of the Relics of St. Lazaros of the Four Days (in the tomb, Bishop of Kition on Cyprus. Holy Martyrs and Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian in Cilicia and their brothers Leontios, Anthimos, and Eutropios. St. Anthony, Abbot of Leokhnov (Novgorod). St. Susannah of Georgia. Translation of the relics of the Martyrs, Princes Ethelred and Ethelbricht of Kent. Translation of the relics of St. Ethelreda, Abbess of Ely. St. Nothelm, Archbishop of Canterbury. St. Regulos of St. Andrew’s, Scotland.

HR/ CHAPTER 13 How Lauds Are to Be Said on Week Days (cont.)

 Owing to the sandals which are wont to spring up, the morning and the evening office should, plainly, never end unless the Lord's Prayer is said in the hearing of all by the Superior in its place at the end; so that in virtue of the promise which the brethren make when they say, "Forgive us as we forgive" (Mt 6:12), they may cleanse themselves of failings of this kind.

 At the other hours which are to be said, however, let only the last part of this prayer be said aloud, so that all may answer, "But deliver us from evil" (Mt 6:13).

Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke.  Martyr Marinos the Elder at Anazarbus. St. Julian the Hermit of Mesopotamia. St. Mnason, Bishop of Cyprus. St. David, Abbot of Serphukov. Newly revealed Martyrs Gabriel and Kyrmidol of Egypt. Sts. Gwen and Selevan, martyred Welsh missionaries, in Brittany. Sts. Symeon, Theodore, and Euphrosyne, who found the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Mega-Spelaiötissa in the Great Cave of Peloponnessos. St. Peter, Metropolitan of Montenegro. Forty martyred children.

HR/ Chapter 14 How the Night Office Is to Be Said on the Feasts of the Saints

 On the feasts of the saints and on all solemn festivals let the night office be performed as we said it should be done on Sunday; except that the psalms, the antiphons, and the lessons proper for that day be said; but let the number above mentioned be maintained.

Prophet Joel; Martyr Varos and with him Six Monk-Martyrs; Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt.

Blessed Cleopatra and her son John in Egypt. St. John the Wonderworker, Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria. Hieromartyr Sadoth, Bishop of Persia, and 120 Martyrs with him. St. Leontios the Philosopher of St. Savvas’ Monastery. Blessed Prochors of Pechenga. New Martyr Presbyter Alexis Stravrosky (1918). St. Frideswide, Abbes of Oxford. Hieromartyr Felix and Deacon Eusebios. St. Ethbin, Hermit of Brittany and Ireland, and disciple of St. Samson of Dol. St. Ioasaph, 1st Abbot of Putna Monastery & Sts. Cassian, Basil, Nikodemos, Kyriakos, Jacob, Palladios, & Eustathios.

HR/ Chapter 15 At What Times the Alleluia Is to Be Said

From holy Easter until Pentecost let the Alleluia be said without intermission, both with the psalms and with the responsories; but from Pentecost until the beginning of Lent let it be said every night at the nocturns with the six latter psalms only. However, on all Sundays outside of Lent, let the canticles, Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Sext, and None be said with Alleluia. Let Vespers, however, be said with the antiphon; but let the responsories never be said with Alleluia, except from Easter to Pentecost.

 Great Martyr Artemios at Antioch; St. Gerasimos the New, Ascetic of Cephalonia.

St. Matrona of Chios. Martyrs Eboras and Eunous of Persia. Martyr Zebinas of Caesarea in Palestine. Righteous Artemios of Verkolsk. New Martyr Ignatios of Mt. Athos. St. Acca, Bishop of Hexham. Martyrs Germanos, Nikephoros, Antoninos, and Manatha.

HR/ Chapter 16 How the Work of God Is to Be Performed during the Day

As the Prophet saith: "Seven times a day I have given praise to Thee" (Ps 118[119]:164), this sacred sevenfold number will be fulfilled by us in this wise if we perform the duties of our service at the time of Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Complin; because it was of these day hours that he hath said: "Seven times a day I have given praise to Thee" (Ps 118[119]:164). For the same Prophet saith of the night watches: "At midnight I arose to confess to Thee" (Ps 118[119]:62). At these times, therefore, let us offer praise to our Creator "for the judgments of His justice;" namely, at Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Complin; and let us rise at night to praise Him (cf Ps 118[119]:164, 62).

 St. Hilarion the Great.  Repose of St. Hilarion, Bishop of Meglin in Bulgaria. Martyrs Dasios, Gaios, and Zoticos at Nicomedia. Sts. Theophilos and James, Abbots of Omutch (Pskov). St. Hilarion, Abbot of Pskov. St. Hilarion, Schemamonk of the Kiev Caves. St. Philotheos of Mt. Athos. New Martyr John of the Peloponnesos. Sts. Vissarion Sarai, Hieromonk, and Sophronie of Ciorara, Monk, Confessors, and St. Oprea of Salistie, martyred by the Latins in Romania. St. Condedos, Hermit of Fontenelle. Newly Revealed Martyrs Andrew, Stephen, Paul, and Peter. Martyrs Theodota and Socrates the Presbyter in Ancyra. Monk Martyr Eucrates. St. Baruch, Monk. Monk Martyr Zachariah. Martyr Azes. Translation of the relics of St. Christodoulos the Wonderworker of Patmos. St. Tuda, Bishop of Lindisfarne. St. Fintan Munnu, Abbot of Taghmon

HR/  Chapter 17 How Many Psalms Are to Be Sung at These Hours

 We have now arranged the order of the psalmody for the night and the morning office; let us next arrange for the succeeding Hours. At the first Hour let three psalms be said separately, and not under one Gloria. Let the hymn for the same Hour be said after the verse Deus, in adjutorium (Ps 69[70]:2), before the psalms are begun. Then, after the completion of three psalms, let one lesson be said, a verse, the Kyrie eleison, and the collects.

At the third, the sixth, and the ninth Hours, the prayer will be said in the same order; namely, the verse, the hymn proper to each Hour, the three psalms, the lesson, the verse, the Kyrie eleison, and the collects. If the brotherhood is large, let these Hours be sung with antiphons; but if small, let them be said without a break.

Let the office of Vespers be ended with four psalms and antiphons; after these psalms a lesson is to be recited, next a responsory, the Ambrosian hymn, a verse, the canticle from the Gospel, the litany, the Lord's Prayer, and the collects.

Let Compline end with the saying of three psalms, which are to be said straight on without an antiphon, and after these the hymn for the same Hour, one lesson, the verse, Kyrie eleison, the blessing, and the collects.

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Averkios, Bishop and Wonderworker of Hieropolis.  Holy Seven Youths (the Seven Sleepers) of Ephesus: Maximillianos Iamblichos, Martinianos, John, Dionysios, Exacoustodian (Constantine) and Antoninos. Martyrs Alexander the Bishop, Erakleios, Anna, Elizabeth, Theodota, and Glykeria, at Adrianopolis. St. Lot of Egypt. Sts. Theodore and Paul. Abbots of Rostov. St. James of Luga and Omutch, disciple of St. Theophilos of Omutch. St. Mellon, Bishop of Rouen. Martyr Zachariah. St. Rufos of the Paradise. Repose of Righteous Monk Joseph the Silent of Kuban (1925).

HR/ Chapter 18 In What Order the Psalms Are to Be Said

HR/ Chapter 18 In What Order the Psalms Are to Be Said (cont)

  At Tierce, Sext, and None, on Monday, however, let the nine sections which remain over the 118th psalm be said, three sections at each of these Hours. The 118th psalm having thus been parceled out for two days, namely, Sunday and Monday, let there be sung on Tuesday for Tierce, Sext, and None, three psalms each, from the 119th to the 127th, that is, nine psalms. These psalms will always be repeated at the same Hours in just the same way until Sunday, observing also for all these days a regular succession of the hymns, the lessons, and the verses, so, namely, that on Sunday the beginning is always made with the 118th psalm.

Martyr Arethas and those with him, including Martyr Synkletike, and her two daughters.

Blessed Elesbaan, King of Ethiopia. Icon of “Joy of All Who Sorrow.” St. Athanasios, Patriarch of Constantinople. St. Arethas, Recluse of the Pskov Caves. St. Sisoes, Schemamonk of the Kiev Caves. St. Theophilos the Silent of the Kiev Caves. St. Senoch, Abbot of Tours (Gaul). New Hieromartyr Lawrence, Bishop of Balakin (1918). St. Maglorios, Abbot of Sark. St. Elesbaan (Caleb), King of Ethiopia (c. 655). Repose of Blessed Elder Zosimas (Verkhovksy) (1833). Martyr Sebastiane. Sts. Mark, Soterikos, and Valentinos. Sts. Akakios, the Presbyter, and Nerdon

HR/Chapter 7 Of Humility

Brethren, the Holy Scripture crieth to us saying: "Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Lk 14:11; 18:14). Since, therefore, it saith this, it showeth us that every exaltation is a kind of pride. The Prophet declareth that he guardeth himself against this, saying: "Lord, my heart is not puffed up; nor are my eyes haughty. Neither have I walked in great matters nor in wonderful things above me" (Ps 130[131]:1). What then? "If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul; as a child that is weaned is towards his mother so shalt Thou reward my soul" (Ps 130[131]:2).

Hence, brethren, if we wish to reach the greatest height of humility, and speedily to arrive at that heavenly exaltation to which ascent is made in the present life by humility, then, mounting by our actions, we must erect the ladder which appeared to Jacob in his dream, by means of which angels were shown to him ascending and descending (cf Gen 28:12). Without a doubt, we understand this ascending and descending to be nothing else but that we descend by pride and ascend by humility. The erected ladder, however, is our life in the present world, which, if the heart is humble, is by the Lord lifted up to heaven. For we say that our body and our soul are the two sides of this ladder; and into these sides the divine calling hath inserted various degrees of humility or discipline which we must mount.

HR/Chapter 7 (cont.)

The first degree of humility, then, is that a man always have the fear of God before his eyes (cf Ps 35[36]:2), shunning all forgetfulness and that he be ever mindful of all that God hath commanded, that he always considereth in his mind how those who despise God will burn in hell for their sins, and that life everlasting is prepared for those who fear God. And whilst he guardeth himself evermore against sin and vices of thought, word, deed, and self-will, let him also hasten to cut off the desires of the flesh.

HR/Chapter 7 (cont.)

We are thus forbidden to do our own will, since the Scripture saith to us: "And turn away from thy evil will" (Sir 18:30). And thus, too, we ask God in prayer that His will may be done in us (cf Mt 6:10). We are, therefore, rightly taught not to do our own will, when we guard against what Scripture saith: "There are ways that to men seem right, the end whereof plungeth into the depths of hell" (Prov 16:25). And also when we are filled with dread at what is said of the negligent: "They are corrupted and become abominable in their pleasure" (Ps 13[14]:1). But as regards desires of the flesh, let us believe that God is thus ever present to us, since the Prophet saith to the Lord: "Before Thee is all my desire" (Ps 37[38]:10).

HR/Chapter 7 (cont.)

We must, therefore, guard thus against evil desires, because death hath his station near the entrance of pleasure. Whence the Scripture commandeth, saying: "Go no after thy lusts" (Sir 18:30). If, therefore, the eyes of the Lord observe the good and the bad (cf Prov 15:3) and the Lord always looketh down from heaven on the children of men, to see whether there be anyone that understandeth or seeketh God (cf Ps 13[14]:2); and if our actions are reported to the Lord day and night by the angels who are appointed to watch over us daily, we must ever be on our guard, brethren, as the Prophet saith in the psalm, that God may at no time see us "gone aside to evil and become unprofitable" (Ps 13[14]:3), and having spared us in the present time, because He is kind and waiteth for us to be changed for the better, say to us in the future: "These things thou hast done and I was silent" (Ps 49[50]:21).

HR/Chapter 7 (cont.)

The second degree of humility is, when a man loveth not his own will, nor is pleased to fulfill his own desires but by his deeds carrieth our that word of the Lord which saith: "I came not to do My own will but the will of Him that sent Me" (Jn 6:38). It is likewise said: "Self-will hath its punishment, but necessity winneth the crown."