"Do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. x. 31.
"The world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Gal. vi. 4.
3. Inward collectedness, and the presence of God.
"Walk before Me, and be thou perfect." Gen. xvii. 1.
"Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." Luke, ii. 19.
"And he was subject unto them." Luke, ii. 51.
"Obey them that have the rule over you." Heb. xiii. 17.
"This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you." John, xv. 12.
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John, xiii. 35
6. Love of study, and the ecclesiastical sciences.
"Ye are the light of the world." Matt. v. 14.
"The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth." Mal. ii. 7.
"He who heareth my words and doeth them shall be likened unto a wise man who built his house upon the rock." Matt. vii. 24.
The seminarist proposes during his stay to confirm himself, by frequent meditation, in the maxims of the faith as to the fundamental truths of salvation, and of ecclesiastical perfection, and to conform his whole life to them.
"What doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Matt. xvi. 26.
2. The excellence of the Christian's calling.
"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God." 1 John, iii. 1.
"We are the children of God; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Rom. viii. 16.
"Every high priest is ordained in things pertaining unto God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." Heb. v. 1.
"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." 1 Cor. iv. 1.
"If any one will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matt. xvi. 24.
"Not my will, but Thine, be done." Luke, xxii. 42.
5. Union with Jesus Christ, by imitation and dependence.
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. ii. 1.
"I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Gal. ii. 20.
"As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy." Gal. vi. 16.
1. Faithfulness to the general rule is for the seminarist the most assured means of sanctification, and the most excellent preparation for the holy ministry. By fulfilling it perfectly he is constantly pleasing to God: inasmuch as he conforms himself in all things to His holy will.