Book 1, Chapter 20: The Love of Solitude and SILENCE
Comment: Pursuing solitude and silence is a worthy effort, especially if done for prayerful engagement. So how do we set aside those distractions? When we look at the Saints and how they model virtue, we will find them in solitude, in quiet meditation. To be sure, this is a struggle, but sometimes communing with the Almighty is as simple as going to your room and closing the door.
Book 1, Chapter 20 Summary
1. Set aside the time and place for meditation and prayer.
2. When we pursue outside interests, it is difficult to remain meditative and prayerful.
3. Look to the Saints for models of virtue.
4. The disciple should take great care in staying humble and denying the world so as to not experience a fall from grace.
5. Holy remorse brings heavenly consolation. You will find solace and intimacy with God in contemplating Him privately.
6. Studying Scripture and withdrawing from meaningless relationships advances you in the spiritual life.
7. Do not exchange spiritual focus for worldly pleasures.
8. Leave vain things to vain people, and mind the things which God has commanded you.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 20:
The Love of Solitude and Silence
Seek a suitable time for your meditation, and think frequently of God’s mercies to you. Leave curious questions. Study such matters as bring you sorrow for your sin rather than for amusement. If you withdraw yourself from trifling conversations and idle visits, as well as from silly novelties and gossip, you shall find sufficient time for good meditation. As far as they were able, the greatest Saints avoided the company of people, and chose instead to live in secret with God.
Seneca
2. It has been said “As often as I have gone among men, so often have I returned less a man.1” This is what we often experience when we linger in our conversations. It is easier to be silent than it is not to be excessive with words. It is easier to remain hidden at home than to keep sufficient guard upon yourself abroad. Whoever, therefore, seeks to reach that which is hidden and spiritual, must go with Jesus “apart from the multitude (Mark 7:33).” No man safely goes abroad who does not love to rest at home. No one safely talks except those who love to remain silent and at peace. No one safely rules but those who love to be subject to others. No one safely commands but those who love to obey.
3. Those who have the testimony of a good conscience safely rejoice. The boldness of the Saints was always full of the fear of God. Those Saints stood out with great virtue and grace and yet remained humble and earnest in themselves. But the boldness of the wicked springs from pride and presumption, and at the last turns to their own confusion. Never promise yourself security in this life, no matter how sincere a believer you are or how devout you seem.
4. Often those who stand highest in the esteem of others experience a more serious fall from that height because of their great over confidence.
So that it is better for many not to be altogether free from temptations but to be often assaulted; so that they not become over confident, unless, perhaps, they be lifted up with pride, or else lean too freely upon the consolations of the world.
O how good a conscience should be kept by the disciple, who never became entangled with the world! who never sought a joy pass away. O disciple of God, how great peace and quiet should you possess, who casts off all vain care, and thinks only of wholesome and divine things; building your whole hope upon God!
Matt 6:6
5. No one is worthy of heavenly consolation except those who have diligently practiced holy compunction. If you will feel this remorse within your heart, then enter into your room and shut out the noise of the world -for it is written: “Commune within your own heart in your own room and be still (Ps 4:5).”
In retiring to your room you will find that which you often lose abroad. Retirement there, if you continue, grows sweet, but if you do not keep to it, it becomes wearisome. If in the beginning of your conversation you dwell in your room and keep it well, afterward it shall be a dear friend to you, and a most pleasant solace.
6. In silence and quiet the devout soul goes forward and
learns the hidden things of the Scriptures. There you will find a fountain of tears, where you can wash and cleanse yourself each night. Then you may grow more dear to your Maker as you dwell further from all worldly distraction (Ps 6).
God, with His holy angels, will draw near to the disciple who
withdraws from acquaintance and friends. It is better to be unknown and pay attention to yourself than to neglect oneself and work wonders. It is commendable for a devout person to seldom travel abroad, to fly from being seen, and to have no desire to see others.
7. Why will you see what you may not have? “Yet the world and its enticements are passing away(1 Jn 2:17). The desires of sensuality draw you abroad, but when an hour is past, what do you bring home, but a weight upon your conscience and distraction of heart?
A merry going forth brings often a sorrowful return, and a merry evening makes a sad morning. So, while all carnal pleasures begin pleasantly, ultimately these end in decay and destruction. What can you see abroad which you cannot see at home? Behold the heavens and the earth, and all the elements, for out of these are all things made.
8. What can you see anywhere which can continue long under the sun? You believe that you mitht be satisfied, but you will never be able to attain this pleasure. If you happen to see all things before you at once, what would it be but a vain vision (Eccl 1)? Lift up your eyes to God on high, and pray that your sins and omissions may be forgiven (Eccl 1:4; Ps 123:1).
Leave vain things to vain people, and mind the things which God has commanded you. Shut your door behind you, and call out to Jesus your beloved. Remain with Him in your chamber, for you shall not find elsewhere so great peace. If you had not gone forth nor listened to vain talk, you had better keep yourself in good peace. But since you are delighted sometimes to hear new things, you must therefore suffer trouble of heart.
(1) Attributed to Seneca.