by Ven. Louis of Granada, O.P., 1582
The author of the following work holds a high place among the spiritual writers of the Church. Living in an age of saints and doctors, Ven. Louis of Granada occupies a remarkable position among those who, during the sixteenth century, illumined the Church, particularly in Spain, by their sanctity and learning.
Though he has not been canonized, his memory is in benediction, for he died with a reputation for undoubted holiness, and time has confirmed the judgment of his contemporaries.
The esteem in which he was held by Pope Gregory XIII. and St. Charles Borromeo is well known to readers of their lives. The letter addressed to him by this Pontiff, which is published with this edition, shows how Gregory appreciated his genius and piety, and what a value he placed on his services to the Church. St. Charles used his works almost exclusively for preaching. Pope Sixtus V. offered him a cardinal's hat, but he refused it, as well as the archbishopric of Braga, the primatial see of Portugal. St. Francis de Sales was also a devoted student of his works, and highly recommended them to others.
Among his numerous writings the "Sinner's Guide " is one of the most practical. For more than three hundred years it has been the means of enlightening many souls and leading them in the path of true justice. It has been translated into almost every European language, besides the Chinese and Persian. When naming the work the author doubtless bore in mind the declaration of St. John, that we have all sinned; for the book is suitable for all, whether sinners or just. The method he follows is comprehensive, embracing the entire scope of the spiritual life, at least as far as it is attained by ordinary Christians. A special merit of the "Sinner's Guide" is the copious use the author makes of Sacred Scripture and the Fathers. He constantly supports his teaching by these invincible authorities.
For publishing a work of this kind no apology is made. The need of good books was never greater than at present. Not only youth, but old age untaught by experience, rush madly into the excesses of sensational or infidel reading and vile story-papers, which deprive them of all relish for pious or solid reading, and finally undermine the very foundations of their virtue and faith. As an aid in remedying so great an evil we publish the "Sinner's Guide," confident that of its kind nothing superior to it has been written since its author first gave it to the world. It is true that for many years it has been before the English public. But the translation was by no means satisfactory. The present edition is a new translation, carefully revised, rearranged, and, where it seemed opportune, also abridged. No essential changes, however, have been made, for it has been our desire to give the venerable author's meaning in its substantial fulness. We trust, then, that the work will be widely circulated solely for its intrinsic merits and for the good it will accomplish.
From the Introduction--pages 3 - 5.
Though he has not been canonized, his memory is in benediction, for he died with a reputation for undoubted holiness, and time has confirmed the judgment of his contemporaries.
The esteem in which he was held by Pope Gregory XIII. and St. Charles Borromeo is well known to readers of their lives. The letter addressed to him by this Pontiff, which is published with this edition, shows how Gregory appreciated his genius and piety, and what a value he placed on his services to the Church. St. Charles used his works almost exclusively for preaching. Pope Sixtus V. offered him a cardinal's hat, but he refused it, as well as the archbishopric of Braga, the primatial see of Portugal. St. Francis de Sales was also a devoted student of his works, and highly recommended them to others.
Among his numerous writings the "Sinner's Guide " is one of the most practical. For more than three hundred years it has been the means of enlightening many souls and leading them in the path of true justice. It has been translated into almost every European language, besides the Chinese and Persian. When naming the work the author doubtless bore in mind the declaration of St. John, that we have all sinned; for the book is suitable for all, whether sinners or just. The method he follows is comprehensive, embracing the entire scope of the spiritual life, at least as far as it is attained by ordinary Christians. A special merit of the "Sinner's Guide" is the copious use the author makes of Sacred Scripture and the Fathers. He constantly supports his teaching by these invincible authorities.
For publishing a work of this kind no apology is made. The need of good books was never greater than at present. Not only youth, but old age untaught by experience, rush madly into the excesses of sensational or infidel reading and vile story-papers, which deprive them of all relish for pious or solid reading, and finally undermine the very foundations of their virtue and faith. As an aid in remedying so great an evil we publish the "Sinner's Guide," confident that of its kind nothing superior to it has been written since its author first gave it to the world. It is true that for many years it has been before the English public. But the translation was by no means satisfactory. The present edition is a new translation, carefully revised, rearranged, and, where it seemed opportune, also abridged. No essential changes, however, have been made, for it has been our desire to give the venerable author's meaning in its substantial fulness. We trust, then, that the work will be widely circulated solely for its intrinsic merits and for the good it will accomplish.
Table of Contents
Chapter I.--Page 13
The First Motive which obliges us to practise Virtue and to serve God: His Being in itself and the excellence of His Perctions.
Chapter II.--Page 26
The Second motive for practising Virtue: the Benefit of our Creation.
Chapter III.--Page 34
The Third Motive for practising Virtue: The Benefit of our Preservation, and the Goverment of His Providence.
Chapter IV.--Page 44
The Fourth Motive for practising Virtue: the Inestimable Benefit of our Redemption.
Chapter V.--Page 56
The Fifth Motive for practising Virtue: the Benefit of our Justification.
Chapter VI.--Page 70
The Sixth Motive for practising Virtue: the Incomprehensible Benefit of Election.
Chapter VII.--Page 76
The Seventh Motive for practising Virtue: the Thought of Death, the First of the Four Last Things.
Chapter VIII.--Page 87
The Eighth Motive for practising Virtue: the Thought of the Last Judgment, the Second of the Four Last Things.
Chapter IX.--Page 96
The Ninth Motive for practising Virtue: the Thought of Heaven, the Third of the Four Last Things.
Chapter X.--Page 107
The Tenth Motive for practising Virtue: the Thought of Hell, the Fourth of the Four Last Things.
Chapter XI.--Page 121
The Eleventh Motive for practising Virtue: the Inestimable Advantages promised it even in this Life.
Chapter XII.--Page 130
The First Privilege of Virtue: God's fatherly
Care of the Just.
Chapter XIII.--Page 144
The Second Privilege of Virtue: the Grace with which the Holy Spirit fills the Just.
Chapter XIV.--Page 148
The Third Privilege of Virtue: the Supernatural Light and Knowledge granted to the Just.
Chapter XV.--Page 156
The Fourth Privilege of Virtue: the Consolations with which the Holy Spirit visits the Just.
Chapter XVI.--Page 164
The Fifth Privilege of Virtue: the Peace
of a Good Conscience.
Chapter XVII.--Page 172
The Sixth Privilege of Virtue: the Confidence
of the Just.
Chapter XVIII.--Page 179
The Seventh Privilege of Virtue: the True Liberty
of the Just.
Chapter XIX.--Page 195
The Eighth Privilege of Virtue: the Peace
enjoyed by the Just.
Chapter XX.--Page 204
The Ninth Privilege of Virtue: the Manner in which God hears the Prayers of the Just.
Chapter XXI.--Page 210
The Tenth Privilege of Virtue: the Consolation and Assistance with which God sustains the Just in their Afflictions.
Chapter XXII.--Page 218
The Eleventh Privilege of Virtue: God's Care for the Temporal Needs of the Just.
Chapter XXIII.--Page 227
The Twelfth Privilege of Virtue: the Happy Death
of the Just.
Chapter XXIV.--Page 237
The Folly of those who defer their Conversion.
Chapter XXV.--Page 249
Of those who defer their Conversion until
the Hour of Death.
Chapter XXVI.--Page 264
Of those who continue in Sin, trusting
in the Mercy of God.
Chapter XXVII.--Page 272
Of those who allege that the Path of Virtue
is too Difficult.
Chapter XXVIII.--Page 291
Of those who refuse to practise Virtue because
they love the World.
Chapter XXIX.--Page 315
The First Remedy against Sin: a Firm Resolution
not to commit it.
Chapter XXX.--Page 323
Remedies against Pride.
Chapter XXXI.--Page 334
Remedies against Covetousness.
Chapter XXXII.--Page 344
Remedies against Lust.
Chapter XXXIII.--Page 353
Remedies against Envy.
Chapter XXXIV.--Page 358
Remedies against Gluttony.
Chapter XXXV.--Page 362
Remedies against Anger and Hatred.
Chapter XXXVI.--Page 368
Remedies against Sloth.
Chapter XXXVII.--Page 374
Other Sins to be avoided.
Chapter XXXVIII--Page 384
Venial Sins.
Chapter XXXIX.--Page 385
Shorter Remedies against Sins, particularly the Seven Deadly Sins.
Chapter XL.--Page 394
Three Kinds of Virtues in which the Fulness of Justice consists; and, first, Man's Duty to himself.
Chapter XLI.--Page 423
Man's Duty to his Neighbor.
Chapter XLII.--Page 429
Man's Duty to God.
Chapter XLII.--Page 450
The Obligations of oar State.
Chapter XLIV.--Page 454
The Relative Importance and Value of the Virtues
Chapter XLV.--Page 459
The Important Results of the Preceding Doctrine.
The Different Vocations in the Church.
Chapter XLVII.--Page 477
The Vigilance and Care necessary in the
Practice of Virtue.
Chapter XLVIII.--Page 479
The Courage necessary in the Practice of Virtue.
The First Motive which obliges us to practise Virtue and to serve God: His Being in itself and the excellence of His Perctions.
Chapter II.--Page 26
The Second motive for practising Virtue: the Benefit of our Creation.
Chapter III.--Page 34
The Third Motive for practising Virtue: The Benefit of our Preservation, and the Goverment of His Providence.
Chapter IV.--Page 44
The Fourth Motive for practising Virtue: the Inestimable Benefit of our Redemption.
Chapter V.--Page 56
The Fifth Motive for practising Virtue: the Benefit of our Justification.
Chapter VI.--Page 70
The Sixth Motive for practising Virtue: the Incomprehensible Benefit of Election.
Chapter VII.--Page 76
The Seventh Motive for practising Virtue: the Thought of Death, the First of the Four Last Things.
Chapter VIII.--Page 87
The Eighth Motive for practising Virtue: the Thought of the Last Judgment, the Second of the Four Last Things.
Chapter IX.--Page 96
The Ninth Motive for practising Virtue: the Thought of Heaven, the Third of the Four Last Things.
Chapter X.--Page 107
The Tenth Motive for practising Virtue: the Thought of Hell, the Fourth of the Four Last Things.
Chapter XI.--Page 121
The Eleventh Motive for practising Virtue: the Inestimable Advantages promised it even in this Life.
Chapter XII.--Page 130
The First Privilege of Virtue: God's fatherly
Care of the Just.
Chapter XIII.--Page 144
The Second Privilege of Virtue: the Grace with which the Holy Spirit fills the Just.
Chapter XIV.--Page 148
The Third Privilege of Virtue: the Supernatural Light and Knowledge granted to the Just.
Chapter XV.--Page 156
The Fourth Privilege of Virtue: the Consolations with which the Holy Spirit visits the Just.
Chapter XVI.--Page 164
The Fifth Privilege of Virtue: the Peace
of a Good Conscience.
Chapter XVII.--Page 172
The Sixth Privilege of Virtue: the Confidence
of the Just.
Chapter XVIII.--Page 179
The Seventh Privilege of Virtue: the True Liberty
of the Just.
Chapter XIX.--Page 195
The Eighth Privilege of Virtue: the Peace
enjoyed by the Just.
Chapter XX.--Page 204
The Ninth Privilege of Virtue: the Manner in which God hears the Prayers of the Just.
Chapter XXI.--Page 210
The Tenth Privilege of Virtue: the Consolation and Assistance with which God sustains the Just in their Afflictions.
Chapter XXII.--Page 218
The Eleventh Privilege of Virtue: God's Care for the Temporal Needs of the Just.
Chapter XXIII.--Page 227
The Twelfth Privilege of Virtue: the Happy Death
of the Just.
Chapter XXIV.--Page 237
The Folly of those who defer their Conversion.
Chapter XXV.--Page 249
Of those who defer their Conversion until
the Hour of Death.
Chapter XXVI.--Page 264
Of those who continue in Sin, trusting
in the Mercy of God.
Chapter XXVII.--Page 272
Of those who allege that the Path of Virtue
is too Difficult.
Chapter XXVIII.--Page 291
Of those who refuse to practise Virtue because
they love the World.
Chapter XXIX.--Page 315
The First Remedy against Sin: a Firm Resolution
not to commit it.
Chapter XXX.--Page 323
Remedies against Pride.
Section I.--General Remedies--Page 323
Section II.--Particular Remedies--Page 330
Section II.--Particular Remedies--Page 330
Chapter XXXI.--Page 334
Remedies against Covetousness.
Section I.--Against Covetousness in General--Page 334
Section II.--Against the unjust Detention of Another's
Goods.--Page 341
Section II.--Against the unjust Detention of Another's
Goods.--Page 341
Chapter XXXII.--Page 344
Remedies against Lust.
Section I.--General Remedies--Page 344
Section II.--Particular Remedies--Page 349
Section II.--Particular Remedies--Page 349
Chapter XXXIII.--Page 353
Remedies against Envy.
Chapter XXXIV.--Page 358
Remedies against Gluttony.
Chapter XXXV.--Page 362
Remedies against Anger and Hatred.
Chapter XXXVI.--Page 368
Remedies against Sloth.
Chapter XXXVII.--Page 374
Other Sins to be avoided.
Section I.--On taking the Name of God in Vain.--Page 374
Section II.--On Detraction and Raillery--Page 376
Section III.--On Rash Judgments.--Page 381
Section IV.--On the Commandments of the Church.--Page 382
Section II.--On Detraction and Raillery--Page 376
Section III.--On Rash Judgments.--Page 381
Section IV.--On the Commandments of the Church.--Page 382
Chapter XXXVIII--Page 384
Venial Sins.
Chapter XXXIX.--Page 385
Shorter Remedies against Sins, particularly the Seven Deadly Sins.
Chapter XL.--Page 394
Three Kinds of Virtues in which the Fulness of Justice consists; and, first, Man's Duty to himself.
Section I.--Our Threefold Obligation to Virtue.--Page 394
Section II.--The Reformation of the Body.--Page 395
Section III.--Temperance.--Page 399
Section IV.--The Government of the Semes.--Page 406
Section V.--The Government of the Tongue.--Page 407
Section VI.--The Mortification of the Passions.--Page 409
Section VII.--The. Reformation of the Will.--Page 412
Section VIII.--The Government of the Imagination.--Page 414
Section IX.--The Government of the Understanding.--Page 416
Section X.--Prudence in Temporal Affairs.--Page 419
Section XI.--Means of acquiring this Virtue.--Page 421
Section II.--The Reformation of the Body.--Page 395
Section III.--Temperance.--Page 399
Section IV.--The Government of the Semes.--Page 406
Section V.--The Government of the Tongue.--Page 407
Section VI.--The Mortification of the Passions.--Page 409
Section VII.--The. Reformation of the Will.--Page 412
Section VIII.--The Government of the Imagination.--Page 414
Section IX.--The Government of the Understanding.--Page 416
Section X.--Prudence in Temporal Affairs.--Page 419
Section XI.--Means of acquiring this Virtue.--Page 421
Chapter XLI.--Page 423
Man's Duty to his Neighbor.
Chapter XLII.--Page 429
Man's Duty to God.
Section I.--Man's Duties in General.--Page 429
Section II.--The Love of God.--Page 430
Section III.--The Fear of God.--Page 430
Section IV.--Confidence in God.--Page 432
Section V.--Zeal for the Glory of God.--Page 433
Section VI.--Purity of Intention.--Page 434
Section VII.--Prayer.--Page 436
Section VIII.--Gratitude.--Page 436
Section IX.--Obedience.--Page 437
Section X.--Patience in Afflictions.--Page 444
Section II.--The Love of God.--Page 430
Section III.--The Fear of God.--Page 430
Section IV.--Confidence in God.--Page 432
Section V.--Zeal for the Glory of God.--Page 433
Section VI.--Purity of Intention.--Page 434
Section VII.--Prayer.--Page 436
Section VIII.--Gratitude.--Page 436
Section IX.--Obedience.--Page 437
Section X.--Patience in Afflictions.--Page 444
Chapter XLII.--Page 450
The Obligations of oar State.
Chapter XLIV.--Page 454
The Relative Importance and Value of the Virtues
Chapter XLV.--Page 459
The Important Results of the Preceding Doctrine.
Section I.--The Necessity of Exterior as well as Interior
Virtues.--Page 459
Section II.--Discernment in the Pursuit
of Virtue.--Page 460
Section III.--Virtues that are Less must sometimes yield
to those that are Greater.--Page 461
Section IV.--True and False Justice.--Page 462
Chapter XLVI.--Page 470Virtues.--Page 459
Section II.--Discernment in the Pursuit
of Virtue.--Page 460
Section III.--Virtues that are Less must sometimes yield
to those that are Greater.--Page 461
Section IV.--True and False Justice.--Page 462
The Different Vocations in the Church.
Chapter XLVII.--Page 477
The Vigilance and Care necessary in the
Practice of Virtue.
Chapter XLVIII.--Page 479
The Courage necessary in the Practice of Virtue.
Section I.--The Necessity of Courage.--Page 479
Section II.--Means of acquiring Courage.--Page 482
Section II.--Means of acquiring Courage.--Page 482
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