kingdom. This law subsisted till the change of religion.[53]

* * * * *

Every superior, who is endued with the sincere spirit of humility and
charity, looks upon himself with this great hope, as the servant of all,
bound to labor and watch night and day, to bear every kind of affront,
to suffer all manner of pains, to do all in his power, to put on every
shape, and sacrifice his own ease and life to procure the spiritual
improvement of the least of those who are committed to his charge. He is
incapable of imperious haughtiness, which alienates the minds of
inferiors, and renders their obedience barely exterior and a forced
hypocrisy. His commands are tender entreaties, and if he is obliged to
extend his authority, this he does with secret repugnance, losing sight
of himself, intent only on God's honor and his neighbor's salvation,
placing himself in spirit beneath all his subjects, and all mankind, and
esteeming himself the last of all creatures. St. Paul, though vested
with the most sublime authority, makes use of terms so mild and so
powerfully ravishing, that they must melt the hardest heart. Instead of
commanding in the name of God, see how he usually expresses himself: "I
entreat you, O Timothy, by the love which you bear me. I conjure you, by
the bowels of Jesus Christ. I beseech you, by the meekness of Christ. If
you love me, do this." And see how he directs us to reprove those who
sin: "If any one should fall, do you who are spiritual remind him in
that spirit of meekness, remembering that you may also fall," and into a
more grievous crime. St. Peter, who had received the keys of the kingdom
of heaven, shed more tears of tender charity than he speaks words. What
heart can be so savage and unnatural, as to refuse to obey him who,
having authority to lay injunctions, and thunder out anathemas, weeps
instead of commanding. If SS. Peter and Paul pour out the water of tears
and mildness, St. John casts darts of fire into the hearts of those whom
he commands. "My little children," says he, "if you love Christ, do
this. I conjure you, by Christ, our good Master, love affectionately,
and this is enough. Love will teach you what to do. The unction of the
Holy Ghost will instruct you." This is the true spirit of governing; a
method sure to gain the hearts of others, and to inspire them with a
love of the precept itself and of virtue. St. Macarius of Egypt was
styled the god of the monks, s