historical writings 912 22. I, however, trusting in God’s help, summoned that deceitful and hypocritical man to appear before the judgment of the visitator,266 compelling him to make an oath of living according to the laws given [by the visitator]. He was already on his way, having the intention of honoring the Cross and making his oath in the present of the visitator. I, however, foreseeing the inconstancy of that man, called aloud to him, that he was soon to commit perjury and so ought not to do it. Rather, he should take the oath only after having his constancy for three weeks. 23. O good God! It is a shame to relate how he observed the Rule at this time. Without a doubt, I am sad and I sigh when I write these things. I do not know whether I am worthy of grace or hatred; however, I fear to be implicated, if I were to openly defend or justify what he has poorly done in the open. May the Lord forgive and enlighten us in the further path of His commands. 24. Without a doubt, the visitator’s coming was in accord with my heart’s desires, and I gladly accepted and intend to keep the laws given by him (although I already had the Norma Vitae written for me and approved by [my] spiritual fathers).267 Although, in a certain respect, they seemed to be quite strict, I will not strive for anything else beyond the salvation of my soul, which everybody certainly ought to place before all other matters and do everything — even what might be quite difficult — for its sake. May the Divine Goodness give us constant zeal in this matter and perseverance in it for His glory, so that not one of those redeemed by His Blood may perish. Amen. 25. When I understood that the Most Reverend Lord Bishop Visitator desires —with no small zeal — that life in this hermitage be led in the manner of hermits, I made every effort to fulfill his 266 This probably took place during the canonical visitation of Bishop Święcicki in 1674. 267 It not known who these “spiritual fathers” were who approved Norma Vitae in its original version of 1672. This version remains unknown, since it is assumed that it underwent some changes before being printed in 1687. Cf. Positio, pp. 452-453 (Doc. XII, 1, intr., b).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==