Fourde’s Remains

I have been coming to a resolution that, as soon as I am out of reach of observation, I will begin a sort of monastic austere life, and do my best to chastise myself before the Lord. That I will attend chapel regularly, eat little and plainly, drink as little wine as I can consistently with the forms of society: keep the fasts of the Church as much as I can without ostentation: continue to get up at six in the winter: abstain from all unnecessary expenses in every thing: give all the money I can save in charity, or for the adorning of religion. . . . I will avoid society as much as I can. . . . I will avoid all conversation on serious subjects . . . and content myself with exercising dominion over my own mind, without trying to influence others. (25–26)

quoted in
Reforming the Monastery