Forty-fifth Day
Summary of Christian morality: What is its true end? — Matt. vii. 12, 20.
'WHATSOEVER you would that men should do to you, do you also to them.’ There can be nothing simpler than this principle: — nothing more far-reaching in practice; for all human society is included in it. Nature itself teaches us the rule. But Christ places it higher than nature by adding: ‘ For this is the law and the prophets.’ It is the summary of their contents — the abridgment of all justice; and the root of the principle lies in the command: — ‘ thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’[1]
'Do violence’ to yourself. The work of salvation is not to be undertaken in a spirit of softness. ' Narrow is the gate’ of mortification, poverty, and penance. ‘Broad is the way’ of liberty and licence. There is the large number, and there the small number: — endless matter for
- ↑ Matt. xxii. 39.
