the Divine sweetness, study to labor well, and to make good use of what God hath lent thee, namely, thy body, in this space of three days, that is, in the brief space of this thy life; inasmuch as, if thou strive not to acquire in this present life whilst yet thou hast time, thou canst not hereafter enjoy the eternal riches, or enter into the holy rest of that celestial and eternal peace. But if all the possessions of the world belonged to one person, who would not cultivate them, or cause them to be cultivated by others — what fruit or what use would he have of these things? Most sure is it, that he would have neither fruit nor profit. But it might well be, that a man having but few possessions, and cultivating them diligently, should have much profit, and through his own and others' labors, have fruit enough and to spare.
There is a worldly proverb which says: Never put an empty pot on the fire, hoping from thy neighbor. And thus also it is God's will that no grace shall remain idle; for our good God does not give a man grace that he may hold it in vain, but He gives it that a man may do His will by performing good works; for a good will suffices not, unless a man study to follow and make use of the grace of God, by the practice of holiness.
On one occasion, a dissipated man said to Brother Giles: " Father, I pray thee give me some consolation." To whom Brother Giles replied: " My brother, study to stand well with God, and immediately thou shalt have all the consolation of which thou hast need; for if a man prepare not within his soul a clean abode where God may dwell and repose, he will never find a resting place for himself, or repose; or true consolation in any creature. When a man would do ill, he never seeks much counsel how to do it; but to do well, he seeks many counsels, and makes long delay."
On another occasion. Brother Giles said to his companions: " My Brothers, it seems to me that now-a-days there is no one willing to do that which profit him most, and that for his body, as well as his soul. Believe me, my Brothers, that I could swear of a truth, that the more a man seeks to fly and to shun the burden and the yoke of Christ, so much the harder does he make it for himself, and the more difficult and cumbersome he finds it; and the more ardently a man submits himself to it, voluntarily adding to its weight, the more he finds it easy and sweet to carry.
"O, that it would please God that men would indeed seek and procure in this world the welfare of their bodies, for then they would at the same time procure that of their souls! inasmuch as, without doubt, body and soul must be agreed to suffer together, or to rejoice together everlastingly; for of a truth either they shall suffer in hell eternal torments and immeasurable pains, or they shall enjoy with the Saints and the Angels in Paradise perpetual joy and unfailing consolation, through the merit of good works. For if a man do well, and also pardon others, yet without humility, his good will turn to evil; for many have done many works that seemed good and praiseworthy; but because they had not humility, it was discovered and made known that their works were done out of pride, and the works themselves proved it, for only works done in humility never become corrupt."
A Brother said once to Brother Giles: " Father, it seems to me, that we do not yet know or understand that which is for our true good." To whom Brother Giles replied: " My Brother, it is a sure thing that each one will practice the art which he has learnt, for none can rightly practice that which he has not learnt beforehand. Now wouldst thou know the noblest art upon earth? It is that of working well: and who can practice it, who has not first learnt it? Blessed is the man whom no creature can misguide; but more blessed is he who, in whatever he sees, or hears, can take to himself true edification."
On Contempt of Worldly Things.
Many sorrows befall the unhappy man who places his desires, his heart and his hope, on earthly things, through which he abandons and loses heavenly things, and in the end will lose the earthly things also. The eagle is much given to flying aloft, but if he had a weight tied to his wings, he would not fly very high; and thus man also, through the weight of earthly things, cannot fly upwards, that is to say, cannot attain to perfection. But the wise man, who binds the memory of death and judgment on the wings of his heart, shall not
