PREFACE
SPIRITUALITY is that part of theology which deals
with Christian perfection and the ways that lead to it.
Dogmatic Theology teaches what we should
believe, !If oral Theology what we should do or not
do to avoid sin, mortal or venial, and above them
both, though based upon them both, comes Spirituality or
Spiritual Theology.
This, again, is divided into Ascetic Theology and Mystical
Theology.
The former treats of the exercises required of aspirants to
perfection. Ordinarily the soul rises to perfection by passing
through three stages. First of all, it gets free from sin by
penance and mortification; then it forms inner virtues by
prayer and the imitation of Christ; and, lastly, it advances in
the love of God till it reaches habitual union with Him. It is
for us to enter the path of perfection and to traverse its stages
more or less quickly. God calls us to do this, and gives us
the graces needed for corresponding with His call.
It is otherwise with the extraor
Table of Contents
CONTENTS; Preface -; CHAPTER I; THE ASCETIC TEACHING OF JESUS; AND TH E APOSTLES; I-The Synoptic Gospels: The Renunciation of all; PAOIl; V; Things to follow Jesus only I; 11-The Gospel of St John: Union of the Christian; with Christ and the Divine Pel"sons fO; II I-The Teaching of St Paul: (I) The Flesh and the; Old Man-The Christian Combat (2) The Spirit,; the New Man-Their Relationship to the Holy; Spirit and to Jesus Christ (3) Ascetic and; Mystical Consequences of this Relationship 16; CHAPTER II; CHRISTIAN ASCETICISM IN THE FIRST; THREE CENTURIES; I-The Position of Ascetics in the Early Christian; Communities 36; I1-0bservances of the Early Ascetics 40; ilL-The Spiritual Teaching of the First Three; Centuries: Union with Christ - 48; CHAPTER III; ECCENTRI
SPIRITUALITY is that part of theology which deals
with Christian perfection and the ways that lead to it.
Dogmatic Theology teaches what we should
believe, !If oral Theology what we should do or not
do to avoid sin, mortal or venial, and above them
both, though based upon them both, comes Spirituality or
Spiritual Theology.
This, again, is divided into Ascetic Theology and Mystical
Theology.
The former treats of the exercises required of aspirants to
perfection. Ordinarily the soul rises to perfection by passing
through three stages. First of all, it gets free from sin by
penance and mortification; then it forms inner virtues by
prayer and the imitation of Christ; and, lastly, it advances in
the love of God till it reaches habitual union with Him. It is
for us to enter the path of perfection and to traverse its stages
more or less quickly. God calls us to do this, and gives us
the graces needed for corresponding with His call.
It is otherwise with the extraor
Table of Contents
CONTENTS; Preface -; CHAPTER I; THE ASCETIC TEACHING OF JESUS; AND TH E APOSTLES; I-The Synoptic Gospels: The Renunciation of all; PAOIl; V; Things to follow Jesus only I; 11-The Gospel of St John: Union of the Christian; with Christ and the Divine Pel"sons fO; II I-The Teaching of St Paul: (I) The Flesh and the; Old Man-The Christian Combat (2) The Spirit,; the New Man-Their Relationship to the Holy; Spirit and to Jesus Christ (3) Ascetic and; Mystical Consequences of this Relationship 16; CHAPTER II; CHRISTIAN ASCETICISM IN THE FIRST; THREE CENTURIES; I-The Position of Ascetics in the Early Christian; Communities 36; I1-0bservances of the Early Ascetics 40; ilL-The Spiritual Teaching of the First Three; Centuries: Union with Christ - 48; CHAPTER III; ECCENTRI
