Document B: Treatise Written to a Devout Man, Excerpt from Primary Source
Walter Hilton was an English mystic who lived during the 1300s. His work Treatise Written to a Devout Man served as a guide on how to lead a Christian life. It was very influential during the 1400s and beyond. In fact, this book is still used for devotional studies today.
Document Analysis
- How much influence do you think pastors had on society during the Middle Ages in Europe? Explain.
- What is the mixed life?
- To lead the mixed life, do you think a prelate or pastor would spend time in a monastery? Explain.
THE third kind of life that is called the mixed life belongeth to Prelates [high-ranking clergy] of holy Church and to pastors and curates [priest assistants] who have charge and superiority over other men or women, for to teach and govern them, both as to their bodies and as to their souls, and principally to animate and guide them in the performance of the deeds of mercy both corporal and spiritual towards their Christian brethren. Unto these men of the mixed life it appertaineth sometimes to use the works of mercy in active life, in help and sustenance of themselves and of their subjects and of others also, and sometimes for to leave all manner of external businesses and to give themselves to contemplative exercises, as to prayer and meditations, reading of holy Scriptures or other good books or to some other spiritual exercises, according to what they shall feel themselves disposed.— Walter Hilton, Treatise Written to a Devout Man,
Chapter IV
Chapter IV
· THE third kind of life that is called the mixed life belongeth to Prelates [high-ranking clergy] of holy Church and to pastors and curates [priest assistants] who have charge and superiority over other men or women, for to teach and govern them, both as to their bodies and as to their souls, and principally to animate and guide them in the performance of the deeds of mercy both corporal and spiritual towards their Christian brethren. Unto these men of the mixed life it appertaineth sometimes to use the works of mercy in active life, in help and sustenance of themselves and of their subjects and of others also, and sometimes for to leave all manner of external businesses and to give themselves to contemplative exercises, as to prayer and meditations, reading of holy Scriptures or other good books or to some other spiritual exercises, according to what they shall feel themselves disposed.— Walter Hilton, Treatise Written to a Devout
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