Chapter XXVIII.
On the pride of a certain brother.
I
have
heard while I have
been in this district a thing which I shudder and am ashamed to recall;
viz., that one of the juniors—when he was reproved by his Abbot
because he had shown signs of throwing off the humility, of which he
had made trial for a short time at his renunciation of the world, and
of being puffed up with diabolical pride—most impertinently
answered, “Did I humiliate myself for a time on purpose to be
always in subjection?” And at this wanton and wicked reply of his
the elder was utterly aghast, and could say nothing, as if he had
received this answer from old Lucifer himself and not from a man; so
that he could not possibly utter a word against such impudence, but
only let fall sighs and groans from his heart; turning over in silence
in his mind that which is said of our Saviour: “Who being in the
form of God humbled Himself and became obedient”—not, as
the man said who was seized with a diabolical spirit of pride,
“for a time,” but “even to death.”
1081
1081
Phil. ii. 6, 8
.