Vol. 2

CHAPTER V. 3698. To extol their own actions. 3. To esteem that mostwhich appears to the eyes of men. 4. To glory inresembling those whose holiness is the most eminent.5. To pass their lives in comparing themselves withothers, not in order to imitate those who do better,but to undervalue and decry them;nor yet to assistthose who seem not to do so well, but only toinsultthem.—It is great wisdom to apply ourselves butlittle to the examination of what others do, for fearof meeting with a snare in their defects, or even intheir very virtues. None but the humble can do itto their advantage, because they profit by everything, continually taking occasion to humble themselvesmore and more." 34. And he said unto them. Can ye make the* children of the bride-chamber fast while the bridegroomis with them ? 35. But the days will come,when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them,and then shall they fast in those days." [* Fr,Friends of the bridegroom.]The friends of the bridegroom, even when theydo not fast, have the essential part of repentance,since they have love,without which repentance cannotbe true, and with which a man cannot but hatesin.Jesus Christ exempts not his friends from theausterities of repentance, but prepares them for them.He begins with the heart which is most sick and feeble,and which must become most healthy and strong.After their internal renovation, which was completedon the day of Pentecost, the apostles led only a lifeof fasting, mortification, and prayer. It is now thetime for our austerities to succeed, and to be unitedto the sufferings of Christ; for us to continue them83