The Rule of Life

17 due submission and be most ready to obey them. Nonetheless, in order to avoid confusion in jurisdiction and many disorders, only the Superiors will attend to the just orders of the bi- shops. 8 The members, on the other hand, will obey the Supe- riors and the laws without any reluctance and pretense. Nor should they believe they have any right or privilege to take the Superior to an outside court. This is stated to avoid many quarrels, scandals and rebellions. If ever any [of these] con- troversies should happen, or any less notable deficiency, then it should be settled and corrected within the congregation itself, in an ordinary way, peacefully and justly. Through this rule we nonetheless do not intend to contradict anything of Canon Law, nothing regarding the decrees and views of the Roman Church. If anyone among you has been found stub- bornly disobedient, or a firebrand, or a wicked agitator of oth- ers, let him be restrained by the common action of all those who favor interior peace and good government (first, howev- er, having given the possibility for a just defense and apology and due process of law having been kept). If necessary, even the force of civil authorities may be employed. 9 Truly it is right that a servant of God be a peaceful man. Should he con- sider the person he should obey? Or shouldn’t he consider love on account of which he obeys? You should fulfill, with divine assistance, humbly and joyfully, all penances and mor- tifications assigned by a Superior, although they may seem burdensome. You should not murmur against the Superiors, or complain, but you should love and honor them. But if anyone should have been truly burdened by some Superior, let him either endure patiently what he finds oppressive for the merit of eternal life, or by himself or through another present with greatest meekness and humility, a petition to the Superior, by whom he is pressed, so that he might use due moderation in the situation. 8 This was the time when the Marians were still a diocesan institute dependent juridically on the bishop of the place. Only in 1699 did the Marians gain the privilege of exemption from this jurisdiction. 9 It was common practice for civil authority to aid in ending rebellions in monasteries.