8. On the peace of heart, and rest in God

" In pace factus est locus ejus."* " His place is in peace."

1 The faithful Soul.— Lord, who is he ihat dwelleth in true peace ?

The Lord. — He that is meek, and humble of heart. But why dost thou seek to inquire into the state of others, while thou neglectest thyself in many things ?

Hearken then unto me ; it is the heart the most humble, and the most willing to suffer for the sake of God, that enjoys the most abundant peace.

To such ti one no burthen is heavy, for lie hatli God himsoJi in his heart.

Blessed are they that conv^erse with God in prayer, — in meditation,— hy sacred songs, — by reading ; and who keep silence on the vanities of the passing world.

Wherever thou art, wheresoever thou goest,. whithersoever thou fliest, thy thoughts still accompany thee ; but pious meditation brings joy to the soul, while evil thoughts afflict it.

Anger brings forth trouble, and envy blinds the soul ; but hatred kills it.

Devout reading instructs ; prayer enflames ; but good works are the fulfilment of the law.

2. Holy words purify the heart ; frivolous words defile it; idle words scandalize it ; bitter words sadden it ; words of mercy soothe disquietude ; moral conversation edio o fies the heart ; learned or dogmatic entertainments strengthen the faith, and heavenl}^ words elevate it to the throne of the Divinity.

Cleanse then thy heart from all malice, if thou wouldst enjoy sweet peace.

There is no sweet peace but what comes from God, and dwells in the virtuous soul, which performs all things well for the sake of God, whom it loves.

Abide in silence, and endure a little for the sake of God ; and He himself will free thee from every burthen, and from all disquietude.

A holy life and a pure conscience beget confidence in God in tribulation and death ; but an evil conscience is always in fear, always at war, — tormented by remorse.

The angry man falls quigkly from one evil into a worse ; but the patient and the meek makes a friend of his enemy, and God will be propitious to him, for that he hath shewn mercy unto him who offended him.