5. On tile gratitude of the soul for every good

*' Magnijicate Duminum mecum^ et exaltemus nomen ejus in idipsum"^ " O magnify the Lord with me ; and let us extol his name tngether^ 1 . He that for the least favour, is most grateful to God, gives Him worthy praise, and appreciates the goodness and bounty of Him, Avho above all is infinitely great ; for no grace can be small or contemptible, "that comes from the liberal hand of the Most High.

God seeks and asks for nothing, but that our love may be disinterested ; and that by carefully avoiding all offence against him, we * Ps. xxjfiii. o o o o should everywhere and always give proofs to Him of our sincere gratitude.

2. Great in the sight of God is he, who is filled with deep humility, and contempt for himself — who judges himself unworthy to partake in His gifts and benefits, and when he makes use of such as he has received, seeks neither to satiate his vanity, nor to court the esteem of men.

But greater is he, who although like Job, afilicted, overwhelmed with contempt and injuries, despoiled of his goods, abandoned by his friends, tempted by the devil, loaded with derision, and covered with confusion, — yet rejoices in tribulation, giving thanks to God, and blessing His holy name ; reckons as great gain to his soul, the evils and calamities, which weigh heavy upon him ; and endures them all without murmur, for the love of God.

3. Blessed is he, who after the example of Job, leams to acknowledge the hand which strikes him, and to submit with pious resignation to the rod of affliction ; trusting wholly to the mercy of God, and bowing unreservedly to His holy will.

Blessed is he who ever seeks after, and prefers before all, the will of God, and who takes pleasure in being accounted vile in the eyes of man : — who rejoices in the midst of insult and injury, and who receives temporal losses as ministering servants to the good of his soul