Heliotropium

S.J. Rev. Fr. Jeremias Drexelius

Description

A 17th century classic on conforming our will with God's will. Uniformity with God's will is the easiest way to achieve peace of heart and happiness in this world, and this book is the best guide to discovering God's will for us and living it out in our daily lives. Impr. 428 pgs,

Sujets

• Catholic Church
• Theology

Informations

• Publié par: TAN Books
• Date de parution: 01 janvier 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781505103311
• Langue: English

Extrait

Heliotropium
Conformity of the Human Will to the Divine
Father Jeremias Drexelius
Nihil Obstat:                  Remigius Lafort, D.D. Censor
Imprimatur:                ✠ John Cardinal Farley Archbishop of New York
Copyright © 1912 by the Devin-Adair Company, Old Greenwich, Connecticut.
Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 84-51597
ISBN: 978-0-89555-245-7
Typography is the property of TAN Books, and may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. (This restriction applies only to this type , not to quotations from the book.)
Cover Illus.: Boumard Fils, Paris, 5380.
TAN Books Charlotte, North Carolina www.TANBooks.com
2012
EXPLANATION OF THE TITLE OF THIS BOOK
The word "heliotropium" is the Latin name for an ancient plant which had the unique habit of turning to face the sun at all times. The plant's name is derived from two Greek words: helio , meaning "sun," and tropos , meaning "turn." The Roman writer Pliny wrote of this plant, "I have often spoken of the wonderful property of the heliotrope, which turns itself round with the sun, even on a cloudy day, so great is its love of that luminary. But at night it closes its azure flower, as if from missing its rays."
Thus the heliotrope excellently represents the attitude of the faithful soul toward the Will of God, which is represented by the sun. This sun must ever be gazed upon by us with fixed and unshrinking eye, in whatever direction its course may bend; and this one thing must we ever resolve in our mind: " As it pleases God, so does it please me . The Will of God alone is to me the rule of life and death. As it hath pleased the Lord so shall it be done. Blessed be the Name of the Lord." ( See pages 75 and 76 ).
Title-page of the Latin edition, Cologne, 1630
PREFACE
I N offering "The Heliotropium" to the public we are not presenting a new book. It was first published in Latin in 1627. An English translation, the basis of the present edition, appeared in 1862.
The author, Jeremias Drexelius, was the most distinguished ascetical writer of Germany in the seventeenth century. Born at Augsburg, Aug. 15, 1581, he entered the Society of Jesus at the age of seventeen years, became teacher of rhetoric, and afterwards court preacher at Munich—a position which he held for twenty-three years. He was a valued friend and adviser of the Elector Maximilian I. By the people he was esteemed as a saint. He died April 19, 1638.
The writings of Drexelius, without doubt, excel, in almost every respect, all other contemporary works of the same kind. Their popularity is attested by their wide sale. Of one treatise alone 20,400 copies were disposed of in Munich before the year 1642; while the total sale of his various writings reached the astounding figure of 170,700 copies. There were subsequently many reprints, besides translations into several foreign languages.
A great many, no doubt, will imagine that this book is a difficult one to read, to follow, and to understand, owing to the deep problem of which it treats. Quite the contrary is the case. The language is simple and pleasing, the statements are logically and forcefully placed, and interest is sustained throughout.
The volume is divided into five parts or books. A glance at the following summary will acquaint the reader with their contents:—
Book I brings home to us the necessity of seeing God's Will in everything. Understanding this well, we are taught in Book II how to unite our will, which always remains free, to God's Will. The Third Book explains how we receive many benefits by uniting our will to God's. Whatever might hinder this union is clearly pointed out in Book IV. Numerous aids, helping us to attain to this true union with God, are suggested in Book V.
Going carefully over the pages of this book, I found in them a wealth of material suitable for the present day. The one great problem in life, which is not understood as it should be, by the vast majority, is the question of the Divine Will. Of all the mistakes made by men, the failure to recognize God's Will is, undoubtedly, the saddest and greatest. The keynote to happiness and peace of mind is the realization that this Will means everything. Doctrines of all kinds are being preached and taught. Our sympathy is quickly enlisted in the various methods of bringing help to man's troubled mind. But all the while we lose sight of the fact that the Finger of God rules and dominates all things. When this becomes plain, then, and only then, will the heart of man find its long-sought rest.
Before turning the book over to the publishers, I made a thorough trial of its principles and illustrations, in my work in the confessional and in giving counsel, so often sought from the priest. It bore fruit, and I am convinced that such a work should be more widely known. My brother priests, especially, will, I am sure, be glad to know of it. There are many other good works on the same subject, it is true, all teaching the same truth, but not in so simple and convincing a manner. In this work a difficult theological problem has been placed within easy grasp of the ordinary reader.
The contents of this volume will prove a source of true spiritual joy to the reader. The confessor will find it invaluable in his direction of souls. The priest knows how difficult it is for the majority of people to see God's Will in the event of death, sickness, or other calamity. God's Will is the solution to such difficulties when they arise—the only answer to rash, impetuous questioning—a sweet and soothing answer! People struggling in the world need to realize this. They are anxious to know it. I feel, therefore, that the zealous priest will welcome "The Heliotropium." These pages will help Religious to see their life of cross and trial in the light of peace and comfort. No one, in fact, can tire of perusing the volume as spiritual reading.
F ERDINAND E. B OGNER .
CONTENTS
BOOK I
CONCERNING THE RECOGNITION OF THE DIVINE WILL
C HAPTER I
A twofold Foundation is laid, and it is shown that all Punishments proceed from the hand of God
C HAPTER II
In what Way, and for what Reason, the Will of God permits this or that
C HAPTER III
How the Divine Will is to be recognized by means of the most secret Judgments of God
C HAPTER IV
How the Will of God may be recognized in all things
C HAPTER V
Of how many kinds the Will of God is, and in what things chiefly it requires that ours should be conformed to it
BOOK II
CONCERNING THE CONFORMITY OF THE HUMAN WILL TO THE DIVINE
C HAPTER I
The Commencement of Conforming the Human Will to the Divine
C HAPTER II
What kind of Human Will is most suitable to this Conformity with the Will of God
C HAPTER III
In what way the Will of man is to be conformed to the Will of God
C HAPTER IV
With what Intention we must use the Prayer,—"Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven!"
C HAPTER V
What are the Marks and Signs of a Human Will conformed to the Divine
BOOK III
CONCERNING THE BENEFITS ARISING FROM THE CONFORMITY OF THE HUMAN WILL TO THE DIVINE
C HAPTER I
How great Tranquillity of Mind Conformity of the Human Will to the Divine produces
C HAPTER II
Whether or no it can be that one should never be sad, and whether this State is to be brought about in the same way in which we conform our own Will to the Divine
C HAPTER III
That this Conformity of the Human Will to the Divine is a Sacrifice most acceptable to God
C HAPTER IV
That all Human Perfection consists in the Conformity of Man's Will to the Divine
C HAPTER V
That Conformity of the Human Will to the Divine is the supreme Good in Life
C HAPTER VI
That Conformity of the Human Will to the Divine is Heaven out of Heaven, and true Happiness of Life
BOOK IV
CONCERNING THE HINDRANCES TO CONFORMITY OF THE HUMAN WILL WITH THE DIVINE
C HAPTER I
The Chief Hindrances to Conformity of the Human Will with the Divine
C HAPTER II
To what Destruction Man's own Will draws him, if it does not allow itself to be broken
C HAPTER III
In what way Man's own Will is to be brought into Subjection to the Divine in all kinds of Adversity
C HAPTER IV
A most remarkable Instance of a Man who refused to submit his own Will to the Divine
C HAPTER V
What Things chiefly strengthen the Perversity of one's own Will
C HAPTER VI
That nothing belonging to one's own Will is to be retained, as well in Difficulties of all kinds, as in Death itself
BOOK V
CONCERNING THE AIDS IN CONFORMING THE HUMAN WILL TO THE DIVINE
C HAPTER I
That there can be no Conformity of the Human Will to the Divine without great Trust in God
C HAPTER II
Wherein Trust in God consists
C HAPTER III
In what way Trust in God is to be confirmed and encouraged in Adversity
C HAPTER IV
How great Trust in God was exhibited by all the Saints
C HAPTER V
With how great Rewards God recompenses Man's Trust in Him
C HAPTER VI
That Trust in God without Knowledge of Divine Providence is weak and uncertain
C HAPTER VII
How great the Providence of God is in reference to the Necessaries of Life
C HAPTER VIII
How great is the Providence of God towards His Friends
C HAPTER IX
How great is the Providence of God towards His Enemies as well as Friends
C HAPTER X
How great want of Trust in God is yet shown by very many
C HAPTER XI
That from the Knowledge of Divine Providence there arises great Trust in God, and from this Trust true union with God and the Divine Will
BOOK I
CONCERNING THE RECOGNITION OF THE DIVINE WILL
"Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?" Acts IX . 6.
THE HELIOTROPIUM
B OOK I
CHAPTER I
A TWOFOLD FOUNDATION IS LAID, AND IT IS SHOWN THAT ALL PUNISHMENTS PROCEED FROM THE HAND OF GOD
I
O F all the doctrine which Christ delivered in so many and such divine discourses this was the sum,—that man should absolutely and entirely conform himself to the Divine Will, in particulars as well as in generals. And this