10. On watching and prayer against temptations

" Vigilate et orate ut non intretis in tentationemy* " Watch and pray that you enter nut into tirmptation^ — either of the Jlesh, or the spirit, of the world or the devil.

1. The flesh excites us to concupiscence, the spirit to pride, the world to vanity, the devil to envy : but Christ hath taught us quite the contrary. He exhorts us to practice chastity, humility, charity, and contempt for the world ; if we would avoid the pains of hell and deserve the kingdom of heaven.

To this end we must watch and o o pray, at all times and in everyplace ; for no part is secure against the attacks of our malignant enemy who sleeps not, nor rests from his temptations, •' who continually goes about seeking whom he may devour,"*— whom he may cast into trouble and discouragement, and whom he may inspire with disgust for prayer, or other spiritual exercises.

2. It is for this reason that our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing the malice of the evil one, the efficacy of prayer, the strength of the enemy, and the weakness of man, admonishes, in the most earnest manner, His disciples, and all the laithful, to watch and pray, if they would not be overcome by their enemies,— that is, their vices.

Watch ye then and pray, that ye enter not into the temptations of the devil, nor consent unto him.

If thou art unable to recite the whole psalter or other long prayers, recite a psalm, a verse, a devout hymn in honour of Jesus, of Mary, or of some of the blessed saints, that thou mayest raise up thy soul to God, by the groanings of thy heart or the holy words thy mouth may utter.

For God is nigh unto all them that call upon Him with humility ; and " the prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds,"* — shall fill the soul with trust in God, and thwart the schemes, the efforts, the threats, and the vanities of the devil.

3. If the presence of men keep thee from prayer, " Enter," according to the counsel of Jesus Christ, " into thy chamber, and having o o shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret,"* who already knoweth the thoughts and desires of thy heart, and of what thou hast need.

Say unto Him, then, every time thou wik address Him in prayer, — " Father ! Thy will be ever done, and not mine ; grant me nothing but what may be conformable to Thy glory, and the good of my When thou art in choir with thy brethren, or in church with the faithful, read and sing with a recollection like that of the angels before the throne of God.

Sing in such a manner that thy heart may be inwardly penetrated with compunction, and that thou mayest please men without displeasing God and His holy angels ; for God prefers compunction of heart, to a loud or tuneful voice.

VALLEY OF LILIES. lol God is appeased by humble prayer, but offended by vain glory.

The groanings of a contrite heart draw down the grace of God, and impart strength to virtue ; but the song of a wandering heart quenches devotion : for all such faults and negligences we must give a strict account.

May the divine mercy keep us from all such offences, and lead us to the kingdom of heaven ! Amen.