His maxims of obedience shew clearly what his own submission was.

“There is nothing more certain, nor less subject to mistake, than always to be willing to obey.  On the contrary, it is dangerous to live in complaisance to our own wills, and without following the motion of our superiors; for though we chance to perform any good action, yet if we never so little deviate from that which is commanded us, we may rest assured, that our action is rather vicious than good.

“The devil, by his malicious suggestions, tempts the greatest part of those who have devoted themselves to God’s service:  ’What make you there?’ he secretly whispers; ’See you not that you do but lose your labour?’ Resist that thought with all your strength; for it is capable not only of hindering you in the way to perfection, but also of seducing you from it:  and let every one of you persuade himself, that he cannot better serve our Lord, than in that place where he is set by his superior.  Be also satisfied, that when the time of God is come, he will inspire your superiors with thoughts of sending you to such places, where your labours shall abundantly succeed.  In the mean time, you shall possess your souls in peace.  By this means, you will well employ your precious time, though too many do not understand its value, and make great proficiencies in virtue.  It is far otherwise with those restless souls, who do no good in those places where they wish to be, because they are not there; and are unprofitable both to themselves and others where they are, because they desire to be otherwhere.

“Perform, with great affection, what your superiors order you, in relation to domestic discipline, and suffer not yourself to be surprised with the suggestions of the evil spirit, who endeavours to persuade you, that some other employment would be fitter for you; his design is, that you should execute that office ill in which you are employed:  I entreat you, therefore, by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to consider seriously, how you may overcome those temptations, which give you a distaste of your employment; and to meditate, more on that, than how to engage yourself in such laborious affairs, as are not commanded you.  Let no man flatter himself; it is impossible to excel in great matters, before we arrive to excel in less:  and it is a gross error, under the pretence of saving souls, to shake off the yoke of obedience, which is light and easy, and to take up a cross, which, without comparison, is more hard and heavy.

“It becomes you to submit your will and judgement to your governors; and to believe that God, will inspire them, in reference to you, with that, which will be most profitable to you.  For the rest, beware of asking any thing with importunity, as some have done, who press their superiors with such earnestness, that they even tear from them that which they desire, though the thing which they demand be in itself pernicious; or if it be refused them, complain in public, that their life is odious to them:  they perceive not, that their unhappiness proceeds from their neglect of their vow, and their endeavour to appropriate that will to themselves, which they have already consecrated to our Lord.  In effect, the more such people live according to their own capricious fancy, the more uneasy and melancholy is their life.”