CHAPTER IX.
His outward behaviour, and conduct of business.
1.M. de Renty being sensible, that even our outward behaviour is of great consequence in the service of our neighbour, being that which makes the first impression upon them, did whatever he could for the well composing his exterior, keeping his gestures, motions, looks, and all parts of his conversation in such a harmony, as he judged fitted to draw his neighbour to God.
*2. He was very modest, always calm and inviolably equal. “Among all the things I observed in M. de Renty, (says one of his intimate friends) what first affected me was, his rare modesty and great evenness of behaviour. There was something in his looks which carried so much reverence in it one might easily judge, he was always actually in the presence of God.”
3. In every condition or employment whatsoever, he was the same in his looks, gestures, words and actions, whether alone or in company, with rich or poor, strangers or friends, before his children or servants, yea even before his footman, in the country or town, at the table, and every where.
4. And such a constant equality was the more observable, because of his natural disposition, which was not slow, heavy and phlegmatick, but cholerick, hot and active. But the exact and perpetual care he had over himself, had wholly inverted his nature, and brought him to a behaviour, as well as temper, directly opposite to those he took from his mother’s womb.
5. Another of his friends writes of him thus: “That which pleased me most in him was, His great recollection and intimate union with God: attended with such a wonderful peace of mind, as shone forth in his countenance, and begot [♦]a kind of devotion in his beholders. This union, methought, was ever the same, without any sign of distraction or levity, or any word not necessary, no complaisance or human regard ever forcing him to scatter his spirit. Not but he was full of civility; but still so as to look more within himself than without.”
[♦] duplicate word “a” removed
6. And indeed this continual presence of God, so wholly took up his spirit, that no unusual accident or object, or any thing rare or extraordinary could divert him. I never saw him admire any thing in the world, nor fix his [♦]eyes upon any curiosity whatever. And his gait in the streets was so recollected, modest and equal, without gazing on any thing, that a man might see Jesus Christ was his way, his employment, and his all.
[♦] “eys” replaced with “eyes”