Eleventh meditation. Chastity

First point.

Consider the favor that God has done you in choosing you for His spouse, since a woman ordinarily changes her condition for that of her husband, and becomes a queen if he is a king. Eeflect with what reverence you should esteem this grace. "They have become abominable as the things that they have loved," says the Prophet, speaking of the wicked. And we can say of the good, that they become as amiable as the things that they love.

Second point.

Behold to what happiness God has called you! They who live in the world run great

CHASTITY.

risk of offering to God a divided heart and, consequently, of hearing the heavenly Spouse refuse it, saying: "No one can serve two masters." But souls that have absolutely left all in order to consecrate themselves to God, are delivered from that danger. They should secure the door of their heart with the bar of a chaste fear, that nothing may enter therein but what relates to the love and service of their Spouse.

III. Point. Eevolve in your mind the interior perfection to which this vow obliges you. Befleet upon the words of your Kule, which gives you no other liberty than that of living, sighing, and breathing but for your celestial Spouse. If you are obliged to hold converse with others, let it be immaculate and angelic. Ah, how blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God I

CHASTITY.

Affections.

O Jesus, dear Spouse of pure souls! I admire the excess of Thy goodness which, having made choice of me for a dignity so great as to be Thy spouse, has not rejected me, although I have so frequently been wanting in fidelity. I return a thousand thanks to Thy sovereign sweetness. My soul, humble yourself profoundly before the great army of virgins who follow the Lamb and His blessed Mother whithersoever they go. Supplicate them to offer you to Jesus, the King of virgins. Let us be devout to our good angel, for these celestial spirits take pleasure in guarding the bed of King Solomon, namely, the soul that is pure, humble, devout, and faithful.

My Beloved, in order to keep the garden of my heart for Thee alone, grant me the grace to surround it with the thorns of

CHASTITY.

holy mortification and to close the doors and windows of my senses, so that not one of my thoughts may stray out. Grant, also, that my entire soul may remain exclusively occupied with Thee, 0 my only Consolation, my most sweet Ettreat!

"When shall it be, O my God, that, assisted by Thy grace, I shall walk in my way according to the full extent of my obligations, and that the words of my vows shall be always before my eyes, so that, avoiding distractions, immortification of the senses, useless preoccupation of mind, I may aspire after and breathe but for Thee? Grant me this grace, O my most dear God! May the things of this world turn into bitterness and mortification for me, that Thou alone mayst be balm to my soul, and that my thoughts may find pleasure but in Thy sovereign sweetness!