8. On the joy of a good con- science in the Holy spirit

" Gaudcte in Domino semper.^'* " Rejoice in the Lord always."

Rejoice together with the good : patiently endure the bad : participate willingly in the sufi'erings of the afflicted : pardon those who offend thee; and pray for all.

Drive far from thee that gloomy melancholy which begets disgust and rancour in the soul.

Learn the sweet and holy practice of meditating on the life and passion of Jesus Christ ; and thou wilt find real consolation both against heaviness of heart and against temptation.

A good life is worthy of praise ; but lukewarm conversation is burthensome to all.

A good conscience begets inward joy ; but an evil conscience engenders to itself remorse.

Strive always to do well, and thou shalt enjoy lasting peace.

From the malice of the sinner, thou hast nothing to fear, if thou keep steadfast in the path of justice.

Edifying conversation produces joy of heart, and just praise abroad.

Unmerited praise speedily melteth away in the mouth of him Avho giveth it : for the flattery of a fool is more hurtful than the harsh censure of the wise and just.

2. Humble prayer pierces the heavens, disarms the anger of God, obtains His grace and mercy, and defeats all the artifices of the evil one.

30 GARDEx\ OF ROSES.

An humble confession deserves forgiveness ; but a frivolous excuse aggravates the offence.

Sincere contrition wipes away tlie stain of sin ; and fervent meditation alleviates the penance.

Idle talk weakens the grace of devotion, but pious conversation increases the joy of our soul.

We ought in every place to keep a cautious watch over our senses ; and a spiritual retreat is profitable to him whose occupations call him abroad.

Frequent prayer is a sure protection ; and the silence of the lips is the secure abode of peace.

Many begin their course with ardour, but those only who persevere unto the end shall obtain the crown of glory.

The yoke of Christ is sweet to those who love ; burthensome to the lukewarm ; bitter to the proud ; o o light to the meek, and dear to the humble.

Sweet Jesus maketh all things sweet and light.

The carnal man seeks only the gratification of the senses ; but the spiritual man has a horror of such things, and avoids them.

The heaviest affliction of the just man is, that he cannot extinguish in his soul all vicious emotions. But why does God permit their existence ? That man may be continually humbled, and may implore the Divine aid unceasingly.

3. Even as the proud man glories in his honours, and the rich in his riches, so he that is truly humble rejoices in self-abasement, and the poor in spirit, in his penury.

Christ, the King of Heaven, is the exceeding glory and riches of the servants of God.

Out of God, all affection is cornipt, all pleasure vain, all abundance poverty.

Nothing, indeed, can satisfy the thirst of the soul, but God alone. Who created it.

The spirit of that man is truly free, which covets none of the things which are of this world.

4. To act well, to sufTer evil, to praise God in all things, and never to draw vanity from His good gifts — such is the life of the just.

He that despises himself, and ascribes to God all that he has of good in his thoughts, words, or actions, gives to Him the praise that is truly His due.

When thoughts, then, of vain glory occur to thy mind, consent not to them, but forthwith cry out humbly with the prophet, " Not unto us, O ! Lord, not unto us, but to thy name give glory."* Man's most glorious triumph consists in overcoming his affections, in surmounting his dislikes, and in bearing with resignation whatever grievously afflicts him.