Untitled - Saints' Books

"
"
CHAP, x.] The Vocation to the Priesthood. 185
CHAPTER X.
THE VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD.
I.
Necessity of a Divine Vocation to take Holy Orders.
To enter any state of life, a divine vocation is neces
sary; for without such a vocation it is, if not impossible,
at least most difficult to fulfil the obligations of our state,
and obtain salvation. But if for all states a vocation is
necessary, it is necessary in a particular manner for the
ecclesiastical state. He that entercth not by the door into the
sheep/old, but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and
a robber. 1
orders without a
Hence he who takes holy
call from God is convicted of theft, in taking by force
a dignity which God does not wish to bestow upon him. 2
And before him St. Paul said the same thing: Neither
doth any man take the honor to him self, but he that is called by
God, as Aaron was. So Christ also did not glorify Himself
that He might be made a high priest ; but he that said unto
Him : Thou art My Son ; this day I have begotten Thee?
No one, then, however learned, prudent, and holy he
may be, can thrust himself into the sanctuary unless he is
first called and introduced by God. Jesus Christ him
who self, among all men was certainly the most learned
Qui non intrat per ostium in ovile ovium, sed ascendit aliunde,
ille fur est et latro."
John, x. i.
Latrones et fures appellat eos qui se ultro, ad non sibi datam
desuper gratiam, obtrudunt." In Jo. x. 10.
"Nee
quisquam sumit sibi honorem, sed qui vocatur a Deo tamquam
Aaron. Sic et Christus non semetipsum clarificavit ut pontifex
fieret; sed qui locutus est ad eum. Filius meus es tu." Heb. v. 4, 5.