Weigh the very small

est benefits.

Attribute

all things to God.

also for the very least: whence a certain devout Saint, whensoever he felt a divine suggestion, would stand still a while even in the midst of the streets, and give thanks. And then this very thing itself accept as a singular grace, that thou art able to give thanks to God. Fifthly, observe that all things which occur to us, from whatever source, are to be attributed to God, and to be borne as thus received; that so love and charity may be especially directed towards God, Who is the Author of all good: and consider this to apply not only to good things, but also to adversities. The surgeon is not of less benefit when he uses the knife, than when he assuages pain: when he burns, than when he cools. What better thing therefore can we bear in the mind, or speak with the mouth, or write with the pen, than thanksgivings to our God? Nothing can be said more briefly, nor heard more gladly, nor understood more largely, nor done more profitably than this.

Ejaculations.

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise His Holy Name." Psalm ciii. 1.

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." Ps. ciii. 2. "What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits that He hath done unto me ?" Psalm cxvi. 11.

"O come hither and hearken, all ye that fear God; and I will tell you what He hath done for my soul." Psalm lxvi. 14.

66

My song shall be alway of the loving-kindness of the Lord; with my mouth will I ever be shewing Thy truth, from one generation to another.” Ps. lxxxix. 1,

IMAGE THE TWENTY-SEVENTH.

GOD

CONSIDER THAT GOD IS STANDING ON ONE SIDE, AND SATAN ON THE OTHER: AND THINK WHETHER IT IS BETTER ΤΟ SERVE THROUGH VIRTUE, OR THE DEVIL THROUGH VICE.

Whom therefore wilt thou serve, the mighty God (A), or the Devil (B)? Virtue inviteth thee to serve God (C), but Vice enticeth thee away, to return to the service of the Devil (D), which thou hast renounced. Consider what thou art doing; for who is God? He is Three and yet One (E); the Fountain of all good (F); Eternal (G); Almighty (H); infinitely Wise (I); most Bountiful (K); Alone satisfying the heart (L); filling all things (M), and every where present; most Just (N); the most Mighty King (O). Come therefore unto Him; offer unto Him all thou hast; give up thy heart (P) unto Him, as the Bride (Q) burning with love; deliver it unto Him through Faith, Hope, and Charity (R). As far as thou canst, draw all men unto the love of Him (S), being thyself inflamed with zeal for His honour, and doing all things unto His glory.

On the Perfections of God,

BY WHICH WE ARE RIGHTLY CALLED FORTH TO BE SERVANTS TO HIM THROUGH VIRTUE; OR THE ELEVENTH MEANS OF INCREASING MEDITATION AND ITS FRUITS.

the

FOR the place of thy Meditation take the foregoing Image. And use prayer annexed.

FIRST POINT.

We must

the devil.

CONSIDER, O Christian soul, who art called to embrace virtue and perfection, that of necessity thou must serve either God by virtue, or the devil by vice: and this consideration thou mayst serve God or attend to in all particular actions, thoughts, words, desires, and the like. Tell me which wouldst thou choose to obey. For no man can serve two masters, God and Mammon. The same place holdeth not the Ark and Dagon. Christ hath no concord with Belial, neither hath righteousness fellowship with unrighteousness, and no communion hath light with darkness. But which is best?

Consider, in the second place, what the devil is, whom every sinner serveth: the most implacable and cruel enemy of God and of thyself, who by the allurements of the world inviteth thee to eternal flames, into which he hath cast headlong numberless souls, even kings, and princes, and all lovers of the world: a monster most dreadful, in whom there is no piety, or justice, or bounty, but the sink of all vices and evils. And he inviteth thee out of exceeding hatred and envy, whereby Lucifer, having been himself deprived of Heaven, would in like manner shut us out from everlasting joys: and would have us to be in the same condemnation with himself. And for this end he contriveth every kind of deceit and enticement, that he may allure on to vice, and most chiefly pride, and ambition, and love of money. Dost thou suppose that the man who believes all this can be willing to serve him? In the third place, consider,