FROM this generosity are born supernatural zeal and diligence in all
the virtues. None can exhibit this zeal, save the generous and
diligent man. This is an internal and eager impulse towards all the
virtues, and towards the imitation of Christ and the saints. In this
zeal, a man desires to expend in the honour of God the united powers
of his heart and senses, his soul and body, all that he is, and all
that he may receive. This zeal makes a man watchful in reason and
discrimination, and makes him practise the virtues in justice.
Thanks to this supernatural zeal, all the forces of his soul are
open to God, and prepared for all the virtues. His conscience is
refreshed, and divine grace is increased, virtue is practised with
joy, and his external works are adorned. He who has received this
lively zeal from God is removed far from the fifth deadly
sin--lukewarmness and gloominess towards the virtues necessary for
salvation. [Footnote: The best account in English of the deadly sin
of acedia, too much neglected in modern religious teaching, is to be
found in Bishop Paget's Spirit of Discipline.] And sometimes this
lively zeal disperses heaviness and sluggishness of the bodily
temperament. It is on this subject that Jesus Christ says: "Blessed
are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall
be filled." This will be, when the glory of God shall be manifested,
and shall fill every man in proportion to his love and justice.
ON TEMPERANCE AND SOBRIETY
FROM zeal are born temperance and sobriety within and without; for
none can maintain true moderation in sobriety, if he is not
thoroughly diligent and zealous to preserve his body and soul in
justice. Sobriety separates the higher faculties from the animal
faculties, and preserves a man from excesses. Sobriety wishes not to
taste nor know those things which are not permitted.
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