RULES FOR THE PROPER WEIGHING OF VIRTUE AND VICE.

FIRST, seriously to consider the paths of thine own house, and search out what evil habits there may exist therein, what defects in soul, and Consider thy what in body; of these form a list, and in addition to this have bad habits. recourse to the judgment of others.

Secondly, occasionally, at least once a month, look over this description, and observe thine advances or fallings away.

Thirdly, relate to some friend or to thy confessor the number of thy faults. This has been considered by some holy Fathers to be of especial use.

sions of good.

In the fourth place, with regard both to virtues and vices, examine particularly what are the occasions of them, to the end that thou mayst Note occaavoid them, if temptations to sin: if leading to virtue, thou mayst embrace them. For a great part of virtue and of safety depends on a watchful foresight of the occasions which tend to impair or support it. Fifthly, often humble thyself with this reflection, that thou seest so many bad men, thieves and robbers, endure such hardships in the perpetration of crime and indeed all for the attainment of the objects of their own desires. For the sixth rule, in considering the sins of thy past life and the troubles which thou hast undergone for the world and its laws, determine with thyself to do something similar for the attainment of virtue.

Give as much

to God, as

thou hast to

the world.

For the seventh, never either for man's favour or opinion, or for any temporal object, relinquish any devout customs thou art accustomed to; for that were to hold virtue of very little account, and to prefer to her things of the least worth; but those practices which have been approved of and determined on, must be followed up with constancy.

Ejaculations.

"Lord, lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death; lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him." Psalm xiii. 3.

"Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law; yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart." Psalm cxix. 34.

"I hate them that imagine evil things, but Thy law do I love." Psalm cxix. 113.

'Lord, what love have I unto Thy law! all the day long is my study in it.” Psalm cxix. 97.

"Oh how sweet are Thy words unto my throat! yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth." Psalm cxix. 103.

IMAGE THE EIGHTEENTH.

COME NOW, AND CONSIDER WHAT ADVICE THOU WOULDST GIVE THY FRIEND, IF HE WERE DELIBERATING ON THE SUBJECT OF RELIGION, AND WITH WHAT PARABLE THOU WOULDST PERSUADE HIM.

Art thou still hesitating, and yet desirous to render thy heart more zealous in the attainment of holiness? Consider as in God's presence what advice thou wouldst seriously give thy friend in such a case (A); and do thou thyself the same. But if Vice holdeth thee back (B), disentangle thyself from her; and especially if she be united with any old evil Habit (C), which formeth a cord around thee, like that of a stern necessity, and which commencing in a thread increases till it becomes as strong as a cable. And then follow thy guardian Angel to all good, and along the straight road of life remember the advice of Christ, by pursuing it with Simplicity (D), and with Prudence (E), which qualities are denoted in Holy Scripture by the Dove and the Serpent. Watch for some Occasion (F) of working out thy salvation. Consider the figures and symbols which surround thee in the world, which may tend to represent Virtue (G) to thy thoughts, either by simile or by contrast. by His Parables, such as that of the Good Shepherd (I), that of the Wheat and Tares (K), that of the Vine (L), that of the prodigal Son (M). By

For to do this the Lord Jesus (H) hath taught us

which mode of teaching He hath made all nature to be eloquent to us in the things of Salvation.

Considerations

ON THE SECOND MEANS OF ENLARGING OUR MEDITATIONS, AND THE AFFECTIONS THEREFROM ARISING, OR ON IMITATING THE WISDOM OF THE CHILDREN OF THIS WORLD IN THE CHOICE OF VIRTUE; AND FOR A MAN TO FOLLOW HIMSELF THAT ADVICE WHICH HE WOULD GIVE HIS DEAREST FRIEND.

PUT thyself in such a place as the Image represents. And pray the Lord that thou mayst thyself make choice of that which thou wouldst persuade another to do.

FIRST POINT.

be imitated.

CONSIDER, first, how wise the children of this world are in managing their affairs, in seeking riches, pleasures or honour; how Wisdom of sedulous night and day in searching out good counsels; how the world to active and unwearied in the accomplishment of those which they perceive will be to their advantage: neither peril of sea nor of robbers affrights them, nor continued toil, nor the unfortunate issue of the plans of others. Compare with this diligence that which the children of light exercise in their salvation; and thou wilt be amazed. Then determine as in a matter of such deep importance, which is no less than thine own salvation, to call in the advice of the most wise and prudent: and suffer not that God should complain of thee, His servant, and say, Who is blind but My servant? or deaf as he to whom I sent My Messengers ? And since no man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him, in deliberating concerning virtue or advance in holiness, it is especially necessary to bring thy reason to the subject free from all bias and affection; and we may know that this is the case when we are able to place before our eyes our own state and business, as if it were another's, and so to form a judgment of it; in like manner as the prophet Nathan did, when he brought home to King David the enormity of his