Time to Close the Door for Some Peace

This week, Thomas explores the value of solitude.  His exploration isn't based in selfishness but rather in self-examination.  Another opportunity to pray and to work on our favorite sins.  Thomas looks at the value of "keeping to ourselves" and the risks we take  by unnecessarily entering into the fray.  We do this sometimes to be comforted as a vanity.  Thomas teaches us that we can receive heavenly comfort as we work to diminish our faults and clear/clean out the attic of our conscience.  Thomas concludes this meditation with practical words -  "Shut your door behind you, and call out to Jesus your beloved. Remain with Him in your chamber, for you shall not find elsewhere so great peace."  This is time well spent.

BOOK 1, CHAPTER 20: The Love of Solitude and Silence




Lincoln Reading
By Firelight

 Seek a suitable time for your meditation, and think frequently of the mercies of God to you. Leave curious questions. Study such matters as bring you sorrow for sin rather than amusement. If you withdraw yourself from trifling conversations and idle visits, as well as from novelties and gossip, you shall find your time sufficient for good meditation. The greatest Saints avoided as far as they could the company of people, and chose instead to live in secret with God.

2. It has been said "As often as I have gone among men, so often have I returned less a man.1" This is what we often experience when we have lingered in our conversations. It is easier to be altogether silent than it is not to exceed in word. It is easier to remain hidden at home than to keep sufficient guard upon yourself abroad. He, therefore, that seeks to reach that which is hidden and spiritual, must go with Jesus "apart from the multitude. (Mark 7:33; Luke 22:6)" No man safely goes abroad who does not love to rest at home. No one safely talks except those who loves to remain silent and at peace. No one safely rules but those who loves to be subject. No one safely commands but those who loves to obey.

3. None safely rejoices but those who have the testimony of a good conscience. The boldness of the Saints was always full of the fear of God. Nor were they less earnest and humble in themselves, because they shone forth with great virtues and grace. But the boldness of the wicked springs from pride and presumption, and at the last turns to their own confusion. Never promise yourself security in this life, no matter how good a believer or how devout you seem.

4. Often those who stand highest in the esteem of others, fall the more seriously because of their great over confidence. As a result of which, it is very profitable unto many that they should not be without inward temptation, but should be frequently assaulted, unless they be over confident, unless they be indeed lifted up into pride, or else lean too freely upon the consolations of the world. O how good a conscience should that man keep, who never sought a joy that pass away, who never became entangled with the world! O how great peace and quiet should he possess, who would cast off all vain care, and think only of healthful and divine things, and build his whole hope upon God!
5. No man is worthy of heavenly consolation but he who has diligently exercised himself in holy compunction. If you will feel compunction within your heart, enter into your room and shut out the noise of the world, as it is written, Commune with your own heart in your own room and be still.(Ps 4:5) In retirement to your room you shall find what often you will lose abroad. Retirement there, if you continue, grows sweet, but if you do not keep in it, begets weariness. If in the beginning of your conversation you dwell in it and keep it well, it shall afterwards be to you a dear friend, and a most pleasant solace.

6. In silence and quiet the devout soul goes forward and learns the hidden things of the Scriptures. There you will find a fountain of tears, wherein to wash and cleanse yourself each night, that you may grow the more dear to your Maker as you dwell the further from all worldly distraction (Ps 6). To the one who withdraws from acquaintance and friends, God with His holy angels will draw near. It is better to be unknown and pay attention to yourself than to neglect oneself and work wonders. It is commendable for a devout person to go seldom abroad, to fly from being seen, to have no desire to see others.

7. Why will you see what you may not have? “Yet the world and its enticements are passing away(1 Jn 2:17). The desires of sensuality draw you abroad, but when an hour is past, what do you bring home, but a weight upon your conscience and distraction of heart? A merry going forth brings often a sorrowful return, and a merry evening makes a sad morning. So all carnal pleasures begin pleasantly, but in the end these gnaws away and destroy. What can you see abroad which you cannot see at home? Behold the heavens and the earth, and all the elements, for out of these are all things made.

8. What can you see anywhere which can continue long under the sun? You believe perchaps that you shall be satisfied, but you will never be able to attain this pleasure. If you should see all things before you at once, what would it be but a vain vision (Eccl 1)? Lift up your eyes to God on high, and pray that your sins and negligences may be forgiven (Eccl 1:4; Ps 123:1). Leave vain things to vain men, and mind you the things which God has commanded you. Shut your door behind you, and call out to Jesus your beloved. Remain with Him in your chamber, for you shall not find elsewhere so great peace. If you had not gone forth nor listened to vain talk, you had better keep yourself in good peace. But since you are delighted sometimes to hear new things, you must therefore suffer trouble of heart.


(1) Attributed to Seneca.