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Good cause have we therefore to humble ourselves, and never to think highly of ourselves, seeing that we are so frail and unstable.
Very quickly will there be an end of thee here;
Thou oughtest in every deed and thought so to order thyself, as if thou wert to die this day.
If to-day thou art not ready, how shalt thou be ready to-morrow?
Oh that we might spend a single day in this world as it ought to be spent!
Happy is the man who hath the hour of his death always before his eyes, and daily prepareth himself to die.
Always be thou prepared, and so live that death may never find thee unprepared.
For at such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.[13]
For a perfect contempt of the world, a fervent desire to excel in virtue, the love of discipline, the painfulness of repentance, readiness to obey, denial of self, submission to any adversity for love of Christ; these are the things which shall give great confidence of a happy death.
Trust not thy friends and kinsfolk, nor put off the work of thy salvation to the future, for men will forget thee sooner than thou thinkest.
afterwards? Now the time is most precious. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.
Strive now to live in such wise that in the hour of death thou mayest rather rejoice than fear.
Learn now to die to the world, so shalt thou begin to live with Christ. Learn now to contemn all earthly things, and then mayest thou freely go unto Christ. Keep under thy body by penitence, and then shalt thou be able to have a sure confidence.
and the life of men swiftly passeth away like a shadow.
Work, work now, oh dearly beloved, work all that thou canst.
lay up for thyself undying riches. Think of nought but of thy salvation; care only for the things of God. Make to thyself friends, by venerating the saints of God and walking in their steps,
Keep thyself as a stranger and a pilgrim upon the earth, to whom the things of the world appertain not. Keep thine heart free, and lifted up towards God, for here have we no continuing city.[15] To Him direct thy daily prayers with crying and tears, that thy spirit may be found worthy to pass happily after death unto its Lord. Amen.
will judge righteous judgment.
Now doth thy labour bring forth fruit, now is thy weeping acceptable, thy groaning heard, thy sorrow well pleasing to God, and cleansing to thy soul.
friends. Be thou anxious now and sorrowful for thy sins, that in the day of judgment thou mayest have boldness with the blessed.
Then enduring patience shall have more might than all the power of the world. Then simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than all worldly wisdom.
Then holy deeds shall be far stronger than many fine words. Then a strict life and sincere penitence shall bring deeper pleasure than all earthly delight.
to have two Paradises, to take thy fill or delight here in this world, and to reign with Christ hereafter.
All therefore is vanity, save to love God and to serve Him only.
Be thou watchful and diligent in God's service, and bethink thee often why thou hast renounced the world. Was it not that thou mightest live to God and become a spiritual man?
Hope in the Lord and be doing good,
Nevertheless they advance above all others in virtue who strive manfully to conquer those things which are most grievous and contrary to them, for there a man profiteth most and meriteth greater grace where he most overcometh himself and mortifieth himself in spirit.
Two things specially avail unto improvement in holiness, namely firmness to withdraw ourselves from the sin to which by nature we are most inclined, and earnest zeal for that good in which we are most lacking. And strive also very earnestly to guard against and subdue those faults which displease thee most frequently in others.
6. Be mindful of the duties which thou hast
undertaken, and set always before thee the remembrance of the Crucified.
O! if no other duty lay upon us but to praise the Lord our God with our whole heart and voice! Oh! if thou never hadst need to eat or drink, or sleep, but wert always able to praise God, and to give thyself to spiritual exercises alone; then shouldst thou be far happier than now, when for so many necessities thou must serve the flesh.
When a man hath come to this, that he seeketh comfort from no created thing, then doth he perfectly begin to enjoy God, then also will he be well contented with whatsoever shall happen unto him. Then will he neither rejoice for much nor be sorrowful for little, but he committeth himself altogether and with full trust unto God, who is all in all to him, to whom nothing perisheth nor dieth, but all things live to Him and obey His every word without delay.
Remember always thine end, and how the time which is lost returneth not.
At eventide thou shalt always be glad if thou spend the day profitably.
The kingdom of God is within you,[18] saith the Lord. Turn thee with all thine heart to the Lord and forsake this miserable world, and thou shalt find rest unto thy soul.
For the kingdom of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, and it is not given to the wicked.
Christ will come to thee, and show thee His consolation, if thou prepare a worthy mansion for Him within thee.
if any man loveth me he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.[19]
When thou hast Christ, thou art rich,
Christ remaineth for ever and standeth by us firmly even to the end.
Put thy whole trust in God and let Him be thy fear and thy love, He will answer for thee Himself, and will do for thee what is best.
Let thy contemplation be on the Most High, and let thy supplication be directed unto Christ without ceasing.
Make no great account who is for thee or against thee, but mind only the present duty and take care that God be with thee in whatsoever thou doest.
hurt. If thou knowest how to hold thy peace and to suffer, without doubt thou shalt see the help of the Lord.
First keep thyself in peace, and then shalt
thou be able to be a peacemaker towards others.
all our peace in this sad life lieth in humble suffering rather than in not feeling adversities.
By two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity and purity.
If thou reachest after and seekest, nothing but the will of God and the benefit of thy neighbour, thou wilt entirely enjoy inward liberty.
God alone is eternal and incomprehensible, filling all things, the solace of the soul, and the true joy of the heart.
