Practice of Christian and Religious Perfection: Volume III of III

THE matters I have treated of in the first and second volume, regard a religious life in general, but these I now treat of, regard it in particular; and therefore I have entitled this third volume "Practice of Christian and Religious Perfection." Things are so disposed in it, that they do not only suit all other religious orders as well as our own, but also that they may be very profitable to all secular persons, who aspire to perfection. For, though the first treatise, for example, speaks of the end and institution of our Society in particular, yet it omits not to treat of several general matters; such as good example, zeal for the salvation of souls, diffidence in ourselves, and confidence in God, fraternal correction, manifestation of conscience to our confessor and spiritual father, all which are subjects interesting to every one. And generally all the virtues I treat of, in this last volume, are proper to all sorts of persons; because every one may either embrace and practice them in desire, if the obligation of their state hinders them from observing them in effect; or they may make use of them to resist and overcome the contrary inclinations which nature causes in them. I hope, by the mercy of God, that the reading of this work will excite religious more and more to the practice of perfection, according to the duty of their profession; and will inspire seculars with a desire of imitating them, as far as the state of each one will permit; so that the one and the other will hereby daily increase their fervour in God's service.