I have recently been reading 'The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living, and Holy Dying', by Rev'd Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667). Rev'd Taylor was the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, but before he became such an elevated Cleric he was the Vicar of Uppingham.
Holy Living, and Holy Dying, are in fact two books, but often printed as one. The first offers advice on how to live a good Christian life, the second on how to die a good Christian death. I am still on a 'Holy Life,' but no doubt I will get to a 'Holy Death' in due course. The aim of the book is practical, we all intend to lead a good life, but how is that done? What Rules and Exercises might help us turn our good intentions into good outcomes? Or as Rev'd Taylor describes his book,
“In which are described the means and instruments of obtaining every vertue, and the remedies against every vice, and considerations serving to the resisting all temptations.”
If you want to obtain every virtue, and resist every vice, and all temptations, then it's the book for you. Only some of the advice of course bears the stamp of Rev'd Taylor's times, and it is written in that monumental and sombre style so typical of both tomb stones and worthy books from the 17th Century. It's not as easy to read as Mills and Boon, and contains considerably less romance, but I have been enjoying my time with Rev'd Taylor. He can be quite poetic, indeed he is known as the 'Shakespeare of Divines.' There are aspects of his theology with which I disagree, but it is hardly worth picking an argument with a man long dead, and in any case, I trust he has now attained to a heavenly knowledge too wonderful for me understand from my earth bound perspective.
One particular piece of advice I thought I would share from 'The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living,' are Rev'd Taylor's words encouraging his readers to do what good they can, even when it may seem not enough, he writes,
“...if thou doest what thou art able, be it little or great... it shall be accepted according to what a man hath, not according to what he hath not. For love is all this...and it will express itself where it can; and where it cannot, yet it is love still; and it is also sorrow that it cannot.”
'Do what you can,' is advice I often repeat to Parishioners overawed by the task of maintaining a Medieval building, and meeting the requirements of the Diocese, whilst trying to be a truly Christian community. It shall be accepted by God according to what we have, not according to what we do not have, and our love will make itself known where it can, even if we may sorrow for what it cannot reach. As in Parish life, so in private life – do not be discouraged from offering the little you have, as God will bless love sincerely given. And as I probably should be writing about Lent; if giving something up seems fruitless, then take something up, such as a book that encourages you in holiness, or some extra act of loving kindness to others, “For love is all this...and will express itself where it can.”
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