Disputation III: On the Vow of Obedience

The Seraphic Doctor splendidly illustrates OBEDIENCE under a twofold title, as the school of the Savior, and the ladder of salvation, in Diaeta salut. tit. 3. cap. 2. where he assigns the proofs and the degrees of this heavenly virtue, which obtains its empire by obeying; for the Savior taught it, whether in coming into the world, Ioan. 6. I came down from heaven, not to do my own will: or in remaining in the world, made obedient unto death, Phil. 2. or lastly in going out of it, Not as I will, but as Thou, Matth. 26. He there gathers the degrees of Obedience from St. Bernard; which are: that one be Willing, not recalcitrant, after the example of Paul Act. 9. Simple, not dissembling, after the likeness of the beast of burden Psal. 72. Cheerful, not murmuring, as was Simon of Cyrene Matth. 27. Swift, not putting off till tomorrow, such as Peter and Andrew had, who suddenly left their nets and followed Christ Matth. 4. Manly, not judging, as was the obedience of Peter, ready to be imprisoned with Christ, and to undergo death Lucae 22. Humble, not elated, as the Lord teaches in Luke 17. Say, we are unprofitable servants, etc. Finally let it be Persevering, not discontinuing, even unto death; that by these seven degrees, as by the ladder of Jacob, Heaven may be attained. From these the following question is in large part resolved.