Untitled - Saints' Books

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CHAP, ii.] The End of the Priesthood. 47
very contrary, for we desert the cause of God and
devote all our care to the things of the earth." After
1
being appointed by God to attend only to the advance
ment of his glory, Moses spent his time in settling the
disputes of the people. Jethro rebuked him for his con
duct, saying: Thou art spent with foolish labor. Be
. . .
thou to the people in the things that pertain to God? But
what would Jethro say
if he saw our priests employed
in mercantile affairs, acting as the servants of seculars,
or occupied in arranging marriages, but forgetful of the
works of God; if, in a word, he saw them seeking, as
St.
Prosper says,
to advance in wealth, but not in vir
tue, and to acquire greater honors, but not greater
3
. . .
!
sanctity!"
what an abuse," exclaims Father
John d Avila, to make heaven subordinate to earth !"
a misery," says St. Gregory, to see so many
priests seeking, not the merits of virtue, but the goods
4
of this life !"
Hence, says St. Isidore of Pelusium, in the very works
of their ministry they regard not the glory of God, but
the reward annexed to them. 5
(Many other things that might be added to this chap
ter are omitted, because they are contained in the fol
lowing chapter, which treats of the offices of a priest.)
1
Dei causam relinquimus, et ad terrena negotia
vacamus." In
3 "
Evang. horn. 17.
2 "
Stulto labore consumeris. . . . Esto tu populo in his quse ad
Deum pertinent." Exod. xviii. 18.
Non ut meliores, sed tit ditiores fiant; non ut sanctiores, sed ut
honoratiores sint ! DC Vita cont. 1. I, c. 21.
4 "Non virtutum merita, sed subsidia vitae praesentis exquirunt."
Mor. 1. 23, c. 26.
5 "Ad
stipendia dumtaxat oculos habent." Epiit.
1. I, ep. 447.