The Form of Perfect Living and Other Prose TreatisesRolle, Richard, of Hampole
Religion
The Form of Perfect Living and Other Prose Treatises
Rolle, Richard, of Hampole
Christian life; Rolle, Richard, of Hampole, 1290?-1349
And therefore they make a show with words and feign as they can, to be
holden holy of all who see them, that give themselves to dalliance with
the world, more than needs, as to buying, selling or quarrelling about
earthly things. And all their outward bearing so accords with the world
that David says: "They have mixed themselves with the peoples; they
partake of their works": that is, they mingle them with the folk of the
world, who have no knowledge of GOD, and such works as they see them do,
such works they do. Therefore, when thou needest to go forth, cross
thyself with the holy name of JESUS, Mary's Son, who died on the Rood
for thee, for then thou art more secure, whithersoever thou goest, as S.
Austin said to his brother, when they went forth. And S. John says:
"Whitherso thou goest, and whatsoever thou doest, thy forehead and thy
breast mark thou with the cross; for there is no other mark the fiend so
greatly dreads." See that thine outer-clothing be not over-loathsome,
nor over-curious, in shape nor in hue. Keep thy limbs to their business,
to which they were made, and do not cast thine eyes about like a child;
flourish not thine hands, and leap not with thy feet. When the heart of
man is out of ward, the limbs sometimes fail in their office. And, as
thou orderest thine outward bearing when thou goest forth, also look
thou that thou beest devout within, and specially in praying to and
praising the Lord. If in going out, thou canst not rest in saying thy
prayers, go the softlier. Many things hinder thee in toiling to pray;
weariness of limbs; men thou meetest who speak to thee; then thy five
wits fleet out of ward, and then the devotion of him who prays, cools.
When walking thou hast said thy prayers that thou art bound to say, lift
up thy heart to GOD, and pray to Him in thy thoughts in a blessed
recollection: think on the good things GOD has done for thee, and shall
do if thou truly servest Him: think on His biddings and do them indeed
according to thy might, for so GOD bids thee when He thus says:--"The
words which I command thee shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt
relate them to thy sons: and thou shall meditate on them, sitting in
thine house, and walking on thy journey, sleeping and arising." Or in
working, tell fair tales to thy fellows, or something from Holy Writ
that may soften your way, or glad you in GOD. And sometimes say the
Seven Psalms for the quick and the dead, that GOD give grace to the
quick and rest to the dead. When thou comest to the town to ease thy
body, seek where thou mayst most worthily dwell for thy condition and in
most peace: and where thou mayst most profit to thyself and others. Let
flesh-lust and vanity entice thee to no place: but inquire where any is
who most loves GOD, and thither draw thou. Seek not where thou mayst be
fed best, for there peradventure are many stirrings to sin. Harbour thee
with no woman unless thou knowest good of them for a long time. When
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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