CHAPTER VIII

THE ARGUMENTS WHICH ARE USED TO PROVE, THAT BEFORE ENTERING RELIGIOUS LIFE, A MAN OUGHT TO DELIBERATE FOR A LONG TIME, AND TAKE COUNSEL OF MANY

WE will proceed to consider whether it be necessary for one who desires to become a religious, to take the advice of many counsellors. It is urged that advice should be sought from many persons before taking a difficult step affecting one's whole life; and, as nothing can be conceived more difficult than to renounce oneself, leave the world, and spend one's whole life in religion, it must be necessary to take much advice and to spend a long time in reflection. This argument is based on the definition of a vow. A vow is said to be the promise of a better good, made with grave deliberation. The stringency of the vow depends upon the deliberation. No vow is so binding as the religious vows, which nothing can annul. Therefore, the religious vows require the gravest deliberation.

             Those who hold this opinion seek to confirm it by these words, "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits if they be of God" (1 John iv. 1). This text applies to entrance into religion. St. Benedict, in his Rule, and Pope Innocent, in his Decretal, quote it in this sense. But the "trying," of which St. John speaks, requires careful examination, and this examination (they conclude) is best made in consultation with many. Therefore, he that desires to enter religion should take counsel of many.

             Those who think thus, further add, that counsel is most needed before taking a step, wherein there is the greatest danger of being deceived. There is great danger of deception on entering religious life, since "Satan transforms himself into an angel of light" (2 Cor. ix. 14), and, under an appearance of good, misleads the unwary. Therefore, it is only after grave deliberation, that a man should enter on the religious life. Again, it is alleged, that peculiarly diligent examination is required before undertaking anything that may come to a bad end. Now, as we see in the case of apostates and despairing souls, entrance into religious life has often ended badly. Consequently, this step requires grave consideration. A last argument remains, and it is considered a very weighty one. In the Acts of the Apostles (v. 39) the following words occur: "If this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought." Now the counsel of entering religion has often come to nought by apostasy. Therefore, it was not from God. Hence, much deliberation with many people, is necessary, before taking such a step.

             These are the chief arguments, adduced by those who impress upon candidates for religious life, the necessity for grave deliberation with many counsellors, in the hope that some obstacle may be placed in their way by one or other of their numerous advisers.