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The fourth and best rule is, instantly to return into the way, if by any sin thou mayst have deviated from it, by immediately stirring up in thy- Repentance self repentance; a subject which will hereafter be considered under brings back the head of timely conversion. But conversion, you must know, consisteth, first, in true contrition; secondly, in confession; and thirdly, in newness of life.

into theway.

Elevation of

The fifth is, from the sight of all the creatures to arise into the soul from a temper of thankfulness, since they were all created for thy sake.

the creatures.

The sixth. Sometimes in walking, or in solitude, to reflect on the immortality of the soul, on what shall be after this life, and where that eternity will be spent. The seventh. From the corruption of all bodies, which we behold on all sides, and from the excellence of many, to acknowledge the noble- The dignity ness of the soul, and its spiritual nature. For in like manner as these things exist which are sensible and material, so also do others which are beyond the senses and spiritual, which are immeasurably superior in dignity and power, as is evident in angels and devils.

of the soul.

Order thy

The eighth rule is, in the morning to direct the actions to God; and afterwards occasionally during the day, or at all events in the evening, to examine what progress hath been made toward that end; for not to go forward is to go backward.

life in the morning.

The ninth. And because man knoweth not his way, it is useful to ascertain also from others what they may think of thy way and of thy life.

Seek an

adviser.

A Prayer,

FOR THE FULFILMENT OF GOOD DESIRES.

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Thou hast deigned, O most loving Master, Christ Jesu, with the sweat of Thy countenance, by Thine example and Thy blood to seal unto me this doctrine———. Blessed be Thou for evermore. Thou hast vouchsafed to set before me these rules, that I may follow the footsteps of Thy Saints and of Thee. And easy are they to fulfil; for, “Thy Commandments are not grievous.” Since therefore through Thee I am able, for Thy sake I wish to please Thee, mourning over all my sins. Blessed be Thou for evermore. Thou visitest the earth and blessed it," with the shower and dew of Thy grace; grant, I pray Thee, increase to Thy holy seed that is sown, that Thou mayest be blessed by me with the affections of my whole heart for ever. For if, when I know these things, Thy grace be given unto me in vain, what shall I answer when I die, and in the Judgment, to Thee and to Thy love and boundless goodness, for such examples Thou hast set before me? Grant me, therefore, both to will and to perform, and to love Thee, O Jesu, most worthy of all love, and to live unto Thee, O Thou Who art our life, for ever and ever. Amen.

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TO CHERISH THROUGH THE DAY THE AFFECTION WHICH HATH BEEN STIRRED BY MEDITATION.

"Make me to go in the path of Thy Commandments, for therein is my desire." Psalm cxix. 35.

"Shew me Thy ways, O Lord, and teach me Thy paths.” Psalm xxv. 3. "Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy Commandments, and I shall keep it unto the end." Psalm cxix. 33.

"Order my steps in Thy word, and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me." Psalm cxix. 133.

"Shew Thou me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto Thee." Psalm cxliii. 8.

"O hold Thou up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” Psalm xvii. 5.

"Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm cxxxix. 24.

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IMAGE THE SECOND.

WHY ART THOU DELAYING TO TURN THYSELF UNTO THE LORD GOD, AND IN HIM UNTO ALL GOOD?

Be immediately turned, O thou sinner, to thy Creator and Redeemer, nor defer to do so, as the Doubtful man (A). For Death, though thou seest him not, is close beside thee. Lo, Jesus is ready to receive thee (B); behold His wounds, observe the instruments of His sufferings (C), and His most gracious approaches unto thee. Despise thou the World (D), and her deceits; detest Sin (E), that most foul monster, and follow Christ. And now look to Virtue (F), which the Angel (G) pointeth out to thee, and consider the reward she beareth. In order that thou mayst attain unto her and her rewards, betake thyself to contrition for thy sins (H), and confession of them (I); and imitate the examples of penitents (K). In this way thou shalt be liberated from the yoke of Pharaoh, the spirit of evil, and from his bondage; in like manner as the children of Israel were on their coming out from the land of Egypt (L). Nor stop thou here, O pilgrim, but proceed onward to thy country; and make thyself a way and fortify it by Almsgiving (M), by Fasting (N), and by Prayer (O). Oh! how do the angels rejoice over one sinner that repenteth! (P). Oh, with what rewards will the soul of that penitent be crowned in Heaven!

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