5. On the necessity of acquiring the grace of devotion

" V(B vobis, qui ridetis, quia Jiehitisr* *' Woe to you that laugh^for yon shall weep^ 1. As virtue cannot exist with vice, so devotion is not to be acquired in the joyousness of feast and festival, but in sorrow and silence.

Perfection in virtue cannot be obtained at once, but by little and little ; — by much groaning and sorrow,— upheld by the firm resolve by increasing in virtue every day, — of frequently doing violence to ones'self; — by fasting, watching, prayers, meditation, study, holy reading, manual labour, abstaining from idle talk, and willingly remaining in secret.

2. All joy that comes not from God, passes quickly away, and leaves the soul stained and wounded.

Words that edify, bring joy to those that hear them ; harsh words give pain to our friends : but idle words rob us of the fruit that time would have produced Be diligent in do'"g good ; patient in bearing with evil ; and thou wilt be nappy an me days of thy life : for in both thou wilt continually glorify God.

It seldom happens that a person is not in one or other of these states, — sadness or joy ; but happy is he who turns all to good, and who draws profit from adversity.

Whoever loves God, receives o o from His hand, the bitter as well as the sweet ; and both with equal gratitude. Well and firmly does he stand, who placeth not his hope in himself nor in man, but in God.