4. On warring against our own vices

" Rcgnum cczlorum vim patitur y* " The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence^ 1 . Many begin well, yet few persevere ; but how very small is the number of those who attain perfection !

For either we too easily fall before the allurements of the flesh, or we are puff'ed up with pride, or we are cast down by adversity.

Alas ! how seldom is found one who loves God purely, overcomes himself completely, and makes an entire renunciation of all his affections.

'* Perfection," said a devout person, " is a rare bird ; because it is too difiicult to overcome oneself." Bui he that works not hard to attain virtue, shall never be filled with its sweetness.

Every virtue hath a sweetness peculiar to itself, to refresh him that worketh well ; but he that clings to vice, begets for himself an evil end, makes shipwreck of his honour, destroys repose, lays up a store of infirmities, increases sorrow, and deprives himself of the relish of what is good and virtuous. But he that denies himself lawfnl pleasures, increasca me surety of resisting such as are unlawful.

2. He that muzzles the mouth of the hound, needs not fear his bark ; so he that keeps strict silence shall not olTend with his lips.

He that willingly lives retired and in silence, is far removed from falsehood and bickering ; — from evil speaking and detraction ; — from anger and murmuring.

He that hearkens not to evil discourses, and shuts his eyes on the vanities of this world, more easily avoids its snares, and turns away his thoughts from its vain imaginations : for a watch over the senses is the foundation of purity, the discipline of peace, and the mirror of devotion.

When wrath takes possession of the breast, wisdom takes to flight even from the wise. He that speaks hastily is like a snarling hound ; but a meek answer breaks the violence of wrath, and gives to the afflicted, roses in the stead of thorns.

Blessed is the prudent tongue ; for it heals the wounds of the angry.

3. He that resisteth his evil inclinations in their birth, and whilst they are yet weak, shall more easily destroy them than when they will have acquired more strength.

4. He that is constant in the heavenly exercises of prayer and meditation, is like the prudent gardener, who plants roses and lilies in his borders — and has sweet joy in store : for he will greatly rejoice hereafter with the holy angels, in the heavenly paradise.

He that preserves purity in soul and body is like the holy angels ; but he that yields to liis evil inclinations, arid takes pleasure in the depravity of his thoughts, is the bondslave of Satan.

It may be a hard struggle to resist the seductions of vice ; but it shall be a much harder punishment to awake in the fire of hell, there to be tormented forever.

One heat allays another ; and nail drives out nail ; but idle lausrho o ter is put to flight by a grave and edifying sadness.

When the love of God enters the heart, all earthly and transitory affections flee away.

He is wise that can despise the countless allurements of this world. The dignities of the tiara or the crown, with all their privileges, are as nothing : the end of all is death and the grave, w^orms, and ashes. How high soever man may exalt himself, he is nothing — death strips him of all Happy is that pilgrim whose home is in heaven.