St. Bonaventures Life of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

Saint Bonaventure prefaces his work: “AMONG the many encomiums and praises bestows on the holy Virgin, St. Cecilie, it is recorded of her, that she kept the Gospel of Christ continually enshrined in her breast: the meaning of which seems to be, that she selected such passages from our Lord's life and actions, contained in that divine volume, as tended most to raise her devotion, and inflame her love. On these she meditated day and night, and such was the fervor of her heart, and the ardor of her affections, that she did not content herself with a single perusal, but was accustomed to read the most striking parts many times over, and carefully deposit them in the sanctuary of her heart. The like practice I recommend to you, as I look upon it to be the most material branch of spiritual study, and even the most beneficial of all devout exercises, and that which is most capable of leading you to the summit of Christian perfection.For surely the holy life of Christ, not merely free from the minutest blemish, but even divinely perfect, must be the best and only sure fountain whence we can hope to draw the perfect knowledge necessary-to arm our breast against the flattering, yet fleeting vanities of the world; to render us steady amidst tribulations and adversities; and finally, to preserve us from vice, and facilitate the possession of every virtue. Frequent and habitual meditations on that divine subject being the readiest means to introduce the soul, as it were, into such a kind of familiarity, confidence, and love of him, as will insensibly create in it a contempt and distaste of everything else, and will effectually instruct it., both in what to do, and what to avoid doing.