washes it by confession, dries it by prayer; enlightens it by holy reading, inflames it by devout meditation, collects it by retirement, and unites the soul to GOD by burning love. Charity moveth man's mouth to praise GOD, his hands to work, his feet to walk, his eyes to contemplate, his memory to recollect, his outward members to obey, and his inner gifts to love GOD beyond all good in heaven, and earth. Charity itself in a humble soul, destroys past evils, fortifies against future, equips for the present, frees from many doubts, and restrains from curious matters, cuts off the superfluous, excludes the vain, convicts the false, hates the disgraceful, softens the harsh, throws light on the obscure, opens the secrets of heaven to the prayerful, and orders all within, and without. Charity is a good-will in the soul, which ceaseth not to work righteousness, although sometimes weakness, or inability prevent it from doing the good it intends.

5. O! happy, cleansed soul, to which GOD is all, that thinks nothing pleasant nor precious besides Him, but to which all else seems bitter and burthensome. Such a one God requires; such a one He loves, as for love of Him despises, and relinquishes self, and all, boldly contends, and keepeth his heart in purity. Speedily and without restraint does that pure soul rise to GOD, and

fly beyond all created things of the world, which desireth no advantage nor honour on earth. Love of CHRIST breaks all the chains of the world, makes all burthens light, and faithfully labours to do whatsoever may be pleasing to GOD. Whence it prays with CHRIST, and says: FATHER, not my will, but Thine be done, always and everywhere."

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CHAPTER XIV.

Of Watchful Care and Labour against Tempta= tions.

"RESIST the devil, and he will flee from you." Wheresoever a good man is engaged in prayer with GOD, in meditation, study, or writing, there holy angels are present to rejoice with him; there too are evil ones to tempt, and distract. When thou beginnest to pray the devils flee away, as from the fire of the HOLY SPIRIT; and when thou wouldst listen to tales, they return to provoke idle But if a good Superior be over you, he will speedily put an end to such stories, and reprove the idle, and negligent. Remain then in silence,

rumours.

1 S. James iv. 7.

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and think on GOD for thy consolation, and thou shalt be free from weariness in well doing, persevering in thy good designs.

2. Be thou faithful in little, and thou shalt gain ten thousand talents in the heavenly kingdom. Be not idle in retirement, nor talkative in public, and the devil will flee away conquered by the taciturn. For he hates one that labours, and is silent: that prays, and meditates on good things. Wheresoever thou art alone, or with others, thou shouldst contend, watch, and pray, against all temptations of the flesh and the spirit. Contend manfully, pray fervently, labour diligently, study constantly, be silent willingly, and bear up patiently. Trust in the LORD always, however much thou mayest be troubled—however greatly cast down. Whoso in every place and time nerves himself for endurance, will now have greater peace, and victory over his enemies, and hereafter win a brighter crown of glory with the elect.

CHAPTER XV.

Of Bearing each other's Burthens.

“BEAR ye one another's burthens." Since in truth we are all one in CHRIST, we ought on that account to maintain brotherly charity in the bond of peace, and be ever united in good. We are all members of CHRIST, new-born in Baptism, by the grace of the HOLY SPIRIT, redeemed by the death of CHRIST, cleansed by the Blood of CHRIST, refreshed by the Body of CHRIST, instructed by the words of CHRIST, confirmed by the miracles of CHRIST, built up by the example of CHRIST. Why then injure ye one another, my brethren? Whoso injures another by word or deed, offends CHRIST. CHRIST will avenge: CHRIST will punish, unless he speedily amend. We have one

GOD, the FATHER in Heaven; we are all brothers in CHRIST, from whatever city or country gathered here together, of whatever parentage born, whether noble or ignoble. One GOD created us all; One feeds and governs; One has called us all to the end of one blessedness: and daily He calls, without by His voice, within by contrition, Who has promised as our eternal reward, that we shall gaze upon Him in the presence of the angels, with

1 Gal. vi. 2.

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the unanimous bliss of all the heavenly citizens. Since then we have been one and all called by GOD, redeemed by one price, and have been made to drink of one Spirit; strive we mutually to love and serve each other. If we desire to please CHRIST, bear we one another's burthens, for CHRIST's sake, and of charity pray we for each other; because thus GOD is in us, and we in GOD. Whatever therefore, of imperfection or trifling we see and hear, interpret we it as best we can, and as we would have done unto us.

2. Oh! brother beloved, carry and thou shalt be carried; excuse and thou shalt be excused. Sympathize with the sinner, and sympathy shall be given thee. Comfort the mourner, and thou shalt be comforted by the joyful.

Uplift the fallen, and thou shalt be uplifted by the assistance of thy LORD. As thou hast done to another, so shall it be done to thee, GOD judging and awarding justly. Wonder not, nor be angry, if frail man falls in this world, since an angel fell in heaven, and Adam in Paradise, conquered by a little apple. It is oft but a little matter by which a man is keenly tried in himself, or harassed by another. This GOD justly permits that thou mayest learn of a truth, that, if thou canst not conquer the little, thou wilt not be able to master the greater.