to aid us, and, according to the words of St. Paul, “will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”1

Let us, therefore, in all our trials and temptations, humble our souls under the hand of God, because He will save and exalt such as be humble in spirit.2

8. In trials and temptations a man is proved and tested as to his soul's progress; and through them does his piety shine forth the more, then is his virtue the more evident.

It is no great matter if a man be devout and fervent when he feels no trouble; but if in the time of adversity he suffers patiently, there will be hope of great spiritual progress.

Some are preserved safely in time of great trials and yet are often overcome in every-day temptations, in order that, finding themselves so often infirm in minor troubles, they may be rendered humble, and never be self-confident in those which are great.3

1 Cor. x. 13. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able."

2 Judith viii. 16. "Do not bind the counsels of the Lord our God: for God is not as a man, that He may be threatened; neither is He as the son of man, that He should be wavering."

66

S. Luke i. 52; Ps. xxxiii. 18, 19. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine."

3 Such weaklings may take to heart the following aphorism by Archbishop Leighton:-"It is a most unseemly and unpleasant thing to see a man's life full of ups and downs, one step like a Christian, and another like a worldling; it cannot choose but both pain himself, and mar the edification of others."

"Unwise as all distracted interests be,

Strangers to God-fools in humanity :

CHAPTER XIV.

ON AVOIDING RASH JUDGMENTS.

URN thine eyes into thine own heart, and see that thou judge not the actions of others. In judging others a man labours in vain, generally falls into errors, and easily commits sin. In self-examination and self-scrutiny a man always labours to some profit.

We generally judge of a matter according as it is pleasing or displeasing to us.' For we readily lose our true judgment, because of our own private likings.

If God were always our sole object of desire, we should not be so easily disturbed by the rebellion of our own private opinions.

2. But we are drawn aside, and equally, now by something lurking within ourselves, now by something external. Many secretly seek their own selfish interests in all they do, and know it not.

They seem also to continue secure in peace as long as everything falls out according to their wishes.

Too good for great things and too great for good,
While still I dare not' waits upon 'I would.'"

Coleridge's Aids to Reflection, p. 68.

1 "Sicut nobis res cordi est." "Nous jugeons souvent des choses selon qu'elles nous sont à cœur." Just as they seem to us in our own heart; an expression scarcely English, but very forcible.

But if anything fall out contrary to their desires, they are quickly disturbed and become sad.

The diversity of tastes and opinions very frequently causes dissension to arise between friends and neighbours, and even between the religious and devout.

3. An old habit is hard to give up, and no man is led willingly further than he himself sees or likes.

If thou trustest more in thine own reason or thine own ability than in the all-conquering strength1 of Jesus Christ, thou wilt hardly and slowly be enlightened, for God wills us to be perfectly subjected to Himself, and all our reason to be surpassed by the love inspired from above.

1 Dr. Dibdin, it seems to the present translators, mistakes the phrase of the author, "quam virtuti subjectivae Jesu Christi," by translating it, "the meek obedience of Jesus Christ." What is meant, it would seem, is the subjective power, the overthrowing, conquering force of faith in the Saviour. The French and Italian translators would seem to read with us:-the first says, " sur la virtue victorieuse de Jésus Christ;" the second, "alla virtù soggiogatrice de Gesù Cristo." What follows fully bears out the view taken, for God wills us to be perfectly subjected to Him, "sibi perfecte subjici."

CHAPTER XV.

ON WORKS DICTATED BY CHARITY.

O worldly consideration, no desire of obliging another, should lead to the performance of what is wrong. For the sake of one, however, who is in need, a good work may rightly be suspended sometimes, or rather may be changed for a better. For when this is done, the good work is not lost, but rather transformed to something higher.

Without charity a good work profiteth not; but whatever is done with charity, be it never so paltry and mean, produces fruit.1

For God rather weighs the motive of the actor than the action itself.

2. He does much who loves much. He does much who does well.

He does well who studies the good of his fellows rather than his own will.

Oftentimes what appears to be charity is mere selfgratification;3 because natural inclination, private regard,

1 1 Cor. xiii. 3. "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."

2 S. Luke vii. 47.

for she loved much."

"Her sins, which are many, are forgiven;

3 In the original "carnalitas;" the French translation has it "la chair," the will of the flesh, or, to speak more gently, natural affection. "Many actions assume the appearance of charity which are wholly selfish and carnal," is the paraphrase by Payne, adopted by Dibdin.

D

he hope of return, desire of advantage, have played their part in causing the action.

3. He who has true and perfect charity seeks not himself in anything he does, but desires only that God may be glorified in all things.1

He envies no man, because he desires no private gratification. He has no desire for self-glory, but above all things wishes to be glorified in God.

To God alone, and not to any human being, does he attribute every blessing; for from God alone, the fountain of all good, proceeds every good; and in Him shall all the saints finally find peace.

Oh, if a man had but a spark of true and perfect charity, how vainly would he esteem all worldly things!

Ma

CHAPTER XVI.

ON BEARING OTHERS' BURDENS.

HAT a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he must bear with patience as long as God wills.

W

Think that it may be better so for thy trial and patience, without which our good works will be of little worth.

11 Cor. xiii. 4, 5. 66

Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own." 2 Habakkuk iii. 18. "Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."