be so directed into the right way, that thou mayst not have to grieve for me, but rejoice over me for ever!

O ye watchful spirits, that yearn over the returning penitent, may I amidst my numerous enemies be so compassed about by your guardianship, that no evil may happen unto me, nor any plague come nigh my dwelling. For the Lord Jesus, when living and dying, gave unto you His Angels charge concerning me, to keep me in all my ways.

0 may ye also, most brave champions, be to me my examples and my guardians, that I may see my desire upon mine enemies, and together with you may to all eternity praise and glorify Jesus Christ, my Lord and your Lord, my Father and your Father, in the land of the living. Amen.

The

exam

Saints as

RULES FOR IMITATING THE SAINTS.

In the first place, diligently study the lives of the Saints, and moreover collect from among them different examples of the virtues: and often ples of the in your mind go through some remarkable example suited to your sweet-smell- own private examination. This is a powerful antidote and remedy, and is like the odoriferous apple, spoken of in the Book of the Canticles, by which you may refresh the powers of your soul.

ing fruits.

The imitation of a Saint.

Secondly, endeavour to conform thyself to the character and virtues of some particular Saint; to this the Apostle Paul exhorts us when he says, Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Thirdly, diligently read over the life of the holy person whom a you have selected; and strive to imitate his virtues, and implore ex- assistance from Heaven to do so: and thus both in life and at death

Of the efforts to follow Saint's

ample. his example will afford you assistance and guidance.

Fourthly, of singular use and advantage towards this end are the Saints' Saints' Days Days appointed by the Church, if devoutly and carefully observed; oftheChurch. having this peculiar efficacy above all, that as thus prescribed by authority there sinks thereby into the heart the weight and power of obedience; which always has a blessing.

cise.

Fifthly, it is also a praiseworthy exercise to portion out subjects of meditaA daily exer- tion for the several hours of the day; as for instance, at the fourth hour in the morning that of Creation, praying for the assistance of God in the reformation of the soul; at the fifth, that of Christ's sufferings, praying for imitation of the same; at the sixth, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, praying for purity of mind; at the seventh, the burning Seraphim, praying for charity; at the eighth, the Cherubin full of knowledge, praying for a sense of God's presence; at the ninth, Thrones, praying for peace of mind; at the tenth, Dominions, praying for victory over passions; at the eleventh, Principalities, praying for humility; at the twelfth, Powers, praying to overcome evil with good. Or again, at the first think of the Celestial Hosts, desiring

effectually to aid our neighbours; at the second, of Archangels, to obtain obedience; at the third, of Angels, to edify all by meekness; at the fourth, of Patriarchs, in longing for eternal life; at the fifth, of Apostles, in zeal for souls; at the sixth, of Martyrs, for the grace of mortification; at the seventh, of Confessors, for the gift of prayer; at the eighth, of Virgins, for chastity and abstinence; at the ninth, of all Saints, in longings for our true home and country. But this last rule, respecting the names of things in Heaven and those blessed societies, is only suited for very few.

Ejaculations.

"O love the Lord, all ye His saints: for the Lord preserveth them that are faithful, and plenteously rewardeth the proud doer." Psalm xxxi. 26.

"Be strong and He shall establish your heart; all ye that put your trust in the Lord." Psalm xxxi. 27.

"A small thing that the righteous hath is better than great riches of the ungodly." Psalm xxxvii. 16.

"The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever." Psalm

xxxvii. 30.

"Keep innocency, and take heed unto the thing that is right, for that shall bring a man peace at the last." Psalm xxxvii. 38.

IMAGE THE TWENTY-THIRD.

OH, HOW GREAT PEACE WOULDST THOU HAVE, IF THOU WOULDST CULTIVATE VIRTUE! CAREFULLY WEIGH THIS WITH THYSELF.

Consider how great the peace thou wouldst enjoy, how great and true the honour thou wouldst attain, if thou wouldst give up thyself to the practice of virtue. This has been the experience of all holy men (A). For Virtue (B) is ever united with Peace (C); one beareth the palm-branch of future reward, the other hath the olive-bough of present tranquillity. Thus is it when Jesus Christ cometh to be in the heart, for in Him alone the soul findeth rest. Consider, I pray you, with what feelings the great and the poor alike have visited the humble abodes of the Saints (D), and have lingered with holy reverence about their tombs (E): and point out at a distance to the cities wherein they have dwelt (F). Yea, the places of their earthly habitation have been far more blessed than by the feelings of men; for even in this world Angels minister unto them (G), and God Himself delights to be with them, and is pleased to call Himself their God. How different, on the contrary, are the lives of the children of this world! how little of real peace is theirs, although they may obtain all the objects of their desires! Vice still harasses, disquiets, and saddens her votaries (H), even in the midst of their highest worldly delights and vanities (I).