E00175: Gregory of Tours, in the Preface to his Life of *Friardus (recluse near Nantes, ob. 573, S00078), describes various routes to holiness. From Gregory's Life of the Fathers, written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 573/594.
Creators: name: Admin, CSLA
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2014
Subjects: History

description: Gregory of Tours, Life of the Fathers 10 preface<br><br>Multi enim sunt gradus, per quos ad caelorum regna conscenditur, de quibus, ut opinor, et David dicit, quia: Ascensus in corde disposuit. Accipientur ergo hi gradus diversorum operum ad cultum divinum profectus, et nullus in his gressum figere potest, nisi fuerit, sicut saepe testati sumus, Dei adiutorio provocatus. Sic enim psalmographus in illo mediae profectionis gradu loquitur, dicens: Nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum, in vanum laborant qui aedificant eam. Quod adiutorium non modo martyres, verum etiam et illi quos sacrae vitae roboravit auctoritas iugiter inquerentes, ad hoc quod sitis desiderii spiritalis promebat alacres pervenerunt. Nam si ad martyrium mens accensa est, huius adiutorii opem poposcit martyr, ut vinceret; si ieiunii observantiam adhibere studuit, ut ab eo confortaretur, adflictus est; si castitati artus reservare voluit inpollutos, ut ab illo muniretur, oravit; si post ignorantiam paenitendo converti desideravit, ut ab eo nihilominus sublevaretur, cum lacrimis flagitavit, et si quid operis boni exercere eorum quispiam meditatus est, ut ab hoc adiutorio iuvaretur, expetiit. Per hos ergo scalae huius ascensus tam difficiles tamque excelsos, tam arduos, cum sint diversi, ad unum tamen Dominum per huius adiutorii ope conscenditur. Idcirco semper ille poscendus, ille quaerendus, ille invocandus erit, ut quod de bono mens concipit adiutorio suo ipse perficiat, de quo et nobis sine fine oportet dicere: Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini, qui fecit caelum et terram (...). <br><br>'There are many steps by which one can reach heaven, and it is of them, I think, that David speaks when he says "In whose heart are the steps of them" [Psalm 84:5]. These steps of various works are a progression in the worship of God, and no-one can walk this path, as we have seen many times, without being spurred on by the help of God. It is this that the Psalmist means when he says "Except the Lord built the house, they labour in vain that build it" [Psalm 127:1]. And this assistance has been promptly obtained, not only by the martyrs but also by all those whom discipline has strengthened in the life of holiness, earnestly seeking what was promised by their thirst of spiritual desire. And indeed, if a desire for martyrdom was kindled in a mind, the martyr sought this assistance in order to conquer; if someone wished to fast he asked it in order to obtain the necessary strength; if someone wished to preserve his body from all attacks against its chastity, he begged for it as a defence; if someone, leaving error, repented and burned with a desire to convert, he implored with tears that he might somehow be supported; and if someone wished to accomplish some good deed, he likewise asked for this help. Thus the steps of this ladder, which is so difficult, high and arduous, are very varied, but by means of this assistance one climbs to a sole God. This is why it is always necessary to ask Him, to invoke Him, so that what the spirit conceives to be good may be accomplished with His help. Thus we ought to say ceaselessly "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth".'<br><br>Text: Krusch 1969, 255-256. Translation: James 1991, 71.