4. Of the true lover of God

" Diligite Dominum, omnes sanc- " O Love the Lord, all ye his saints.'' 1 . Love Him, rich and poor, love Him great and small ; for it is He who made both poor and rich, both small and great.

He that would truly love God, must love Him purely ; that is to say, must love God for God, and with none other wish but that of enjoying Him alone. Such love must have for its end neither temporal advantage nor profit, nor inward consolation — no — not even eternal recompense ; but wholly o o and entirely for His infinite goodness and surpassing worth.

It is for this reason that the Psalmist, inviting us to sing the praises of God, says and repeats so often, " Give glory to the Lord, for He is good :"* — words which are indeed sweet to such as love God ; — but, for the consolation of the contrite and repentant mourner, he adds — " For His mercy endureth for ever."

Ye weak and frail, taste ye the sweetness of these words ; — whatever be your sins, despair not — " for His mercy endureth for ever."

2. The deeper our humility, and the more fervent our love, the more pleasing shall we be to God.

Blessed is he that accounteth himself the vilest of creatures, and who shuns every thing contrary to the will of God.

Blessed is he, who out of charity and with a pure intention, does every action for God, and with a view to please Him ; and who proposes to himself no other end, than His honour, praise, and glory.

Blessed is he who attributes nothing that he possesses to his own merits, but freely returns to God all that he has received from Him.