1. On the three-fold state of human life

" Ego flos campi, et lilium convalhum."* '* I am fhejlower of the field, and the lily uf the valley s.^^ 1 . This is the voice of Christ, to his holy Church in general, and to ev^ery devout soul in particular ; for Christ is the goodly and sovereign Spouse of the Church, and the head of all the faithful. He is the flower of all virtues, the lily of the valleys, the lover of humility and chastity.

If thou wouldst serve Christ, and please the Heavenly Spouse, overcome thy passions, gather the lilies of virtue, eschew idleness, study diligently, work at some useful manual labour, pray often for a more intimate union with God, turn away from the turmoil of the world, love retirement, and avoid all idle or hurtful conversation.

2. If virtue be not in thy heart, how seemly soever the outward habit, it is worth nothing in the sight of God. The vessel may be of fair proportions outwardly, but within it is empty.

Even as a vessel filled with good wine, exhales a pleasing odour, so from the good heart of a religious man, whose affections are pure, spring forth holy words and edifyo c ing works, which contribute to the glory of God, and the profit of his neighbour.

Weigh well then, my brother, the great importance of the state in which thou art engaged, the outward marks of which thou bearest before the eyes of men, that so thou mayest study both to please God worthily, and to edify thy fellow-men by thy life and conversation : ever remembering that whether thou dost good or evil, both are done in the sight of Him who will render to every one according to his works.

When therefore thou wilt eat or drink, when thou wilt sleep or take repose, when thou wilt follow the bent of thy desires, thou dost the works of the flesh, and thy conduct is like that of the beasts of the earth ; that wander about, that eat, drink, and fill their belly, till o o o o they are satisfied ; that butt with their horns, that tear with their claws or teeth, that scowl with threatening looks on those who resist them, and fill the air with hideous cries, — such are carnal men, — such the glutton — the miser — the proud — the passionate and the brawler ; — for the spirit of God is not in them, and they are subject to their passions only.

3. But when thou dost watch or pray, when thou wilt read or sing psalms and hymns to the glory of God and His saints, when thou wilt fast, and abstain from vice, and make thyself useful to thy neighbour, when thou wilt mourn and weep over thy own disorders, or confess them, and supplicate pardon of God ; then thou dost the works of the Holy Spirit, follow His inspirations, and fulfil the duties of a religious life. Such conduct is like that of the angels in heaven, who ever sing the praise and glory of God, from whose face they never turn away.

But when thou wilt give way to sentiments of anger, when thou wilt nourish pride, when thou wilt give loose to detraction and murmuring, when thou wilt commit a fraud or practice lying, when thou wilt disturb others or rejoice over the evil that has happened to thy neighbour, when his prosperity afflicts thee, when thou despisest him in thy heart, or when thou labourest diligently for thy own interest only ; then thou foUowest the suggestions of the devil, and thy conduct, full of malice and teeming with disorder, resembles his : for that spirit of iniquity owns no counsellor but his passions, — no motive but his perverseness. He does all the evil he can, or o o dare ; and because there is no good in him, he strives hard to seduce and pervert the sons of men.

The life of the just is like that of the angels, and the life of the carnal man like that of the beasts ; but the life of the proud is like that of devils.

Servants of God, take heed, lest you fall into the snares which the spirits of malice lay for you ; for you will be accused by them at the awful tribunal of God, and there confounded.