IMAGE THE TWENTY-SIXTH.

ATTEND TO THE BENEFITS WHICH GOD CONFERS UPON THEE,

BY WHICH THOU ART STIMULATED TO HOLINESS.

Consider the blessings with which God invites thee to Virtue; that of Creation (A), that of our Lord's Incarnation (B), that of Redemption (C), those of Sacraments and Graces (D). For it is God that feeds thee and clothes thee (E); delivers thee from many evils and miseries (F); and by His Angels sendeth His gifts (G), as He did of old upon the Israelites (H). It is God Who giveth thee showers (I), and sunshine (K), and increase of fruits for thy use and delight (L), and these He bestoweth upon thee in order that thou mayst follow Virtue (M). And since God doeth all these things out of His very great Charity (N), wilt thou not also in thy turn be melted with love? Surely although Virtue be of itself lovely, and vice detestable, yet independently of these considerations it were but reasonable that we should embrace Virtue from the love of God and our Lord, and on account of those blessings with which He hath prevented us.

On the Benefits

CONFERRED ON US BY GOD, WHEREBY HE INVITES US TO PERFECTION; OR THE TENTH MEANS OF INCREASING MEDITATION AND ITS FRUITS.

FOR the place of the Meditation take the scene pourtrayed in the Image. And use the prayer as before.

created.

FIRST POINT.

CONSIDER that man hath been created by God from nothing, out of His own mere goodness, and that too in His own Image and For what purpose thou art likeness: and therefore that it behoveth him not to be like "a wild ass's colta," as belonging to no one, but subject to God; and if he would rightly discharge his duty, to be obedient not only to His commands, but also to the signs by which He may beckon to us, and the inspirations He may give. For for this purpose was he created by the Lord, to Whom he wholly belongs. Even inborn reason itself, saith Laurence Justinian, crieth aloud, that each man should be subject to Him, from Whom he hath his being. Shall then the axe boast itself against him that handleth it? Shall the saw exalt itself against him by whom it is used? How shall the rod be raised against him that raiseth it? Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, what makest thoub? or man, why dost Thou give us commands? why requirest Thou these things? Weigh well these words, and reflect on thy ingratitude.

Consider also the surpassing greatness and excellency of the Divine Majesty, especially if it be compared with us: and for that reason we must study to serve and please Him in every way; for naturally the inferior are subject to others that are more excellent. In the second place, weigh well the mystery and the benefit of the Incarnation and Redemp

a Job xi. 12.

b Isaiah xlv. 9.

tion; that we have been redeemed at a great cost, with the precious blood of the Lamb without blemish and without spot, that we might shew forth His glory and bear Him about in our body. In the third place, that however great these things be, yet are they made far more evident, if we reflect that God hath chosen us from all eternity, Election of before the foundation of the world, that we should be His sons,

God.

and how

benefits.

and vessels made to honour; and for this end that He hath ordained means, and hath brought us as soon as born to the Baptismal Font, hath educated us in the Church, hath set us in the true Ark, How many hath given us Sacraments, that we should be a chosen people, great His that we should shew forth His praise. O most merciful God, what shall I render for Thy eternal goodness, I, who see myself called to Thy faith and grace, while countless numbers are born and die in heathenism and unbelief? Assuredly, O good Jesu, Thy commandments and Thy counsels to me cannot be grievous;-to embrace virtue, that is the beauty, the health, the grace, the riches, the glory of my soul; especially when Thou not only hast given such great things, but also hast promised far greater things; pointing out to us continually the Heavens, the Throne of Thy Kingdom, our reward, where we may be when hell is for ever thrust aside; because Thou dost choose rather to be loved than feared.

SECOND POINT.

CONSIDER how often thou mayst take to thyself those words of St. Paul to the Romans, We are justified freely by His grace. How often the Divine pity, with such long-suffering, hath waited for thee and thy repentance; and while thousands are perishing every hour, The gift of yet hath He spared thee, because thy soul was precious in His conversion. sight. In the second place, weigh with thyself these words: It pleased God, Who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me. And apply this statement to thine own case, and to that peculiar grace or gift which, like a root, is producing other instances of grace, or poureth forth other fountains. For when the Lord bestoweth any state of life, or office, He also giveth means of grace to fulfil the same, as is evident in Holy Orders, in Matrimony, and the like. If thou art engaged in a calling devoted to religion, accommodate thyself to it, and see how thou hast been called from out of the midst of an evil nation, and from a wicked world, unto the true Paradise, to a state of felicity on earth, to the Apostolic mode of life, to the most secure path of salvation. Truly may each person in such a state of life apply to himself those words of Mardocheus, "A little fountain became