14. On the necessity of strugglixg manfully against vice, after the example of the saints

^^Viriliter agile, et confortetur cor vestrurny* " Do ye monfiilhj^ and let your heart be strengthened. '''' i . As the passion and cross of Jesus, and the sufferings of the martyrs, teach lis to bear the pains and crosses of this life ; so the purity of the blessed Virgin Mary, the chastity of the holy virgins, widows and saints of God, show how we may overcome temptations of the flesh, despise the riches, fly the honours, and renounce all the vanities of the world, to iiive ouro o selves up entirely to the love and pursuit of heavenly things.

O servant of God, walk in the foot-steps of those courageous souls, who have given thee the example of invincible patience : — like them, resist the devil and all his temptations.

Consider the unshaken constancy of weak and delicate virgins, and learn from them to despise and cast from thee with contempt, all sensual pleasures, and every other vice.

If God in His mercy has granted thee temporal riches, — thou, who art nothing, — use not these to satiate vanity, — fix not on them thy foolish heart ; for thou knowest not how soon thou mayest be taken away from them, nor how long thou mayest enjoy them.

Ask not long life ; — seek rather for a good and pious one ; — for the witness of a good conscience is better than all the treasures of this world : — because the greater thy riches on earth, the more rigorous the account to be rendered in heaven.

2. Ah ! how deceitful is the favour of this world ! how short its glory ! for after the enjoyment of its riches, its honours, its dignities, and its delights, come the tears and groans, and dreadful punishments of hell, whence, alas ! there is no redemption.

But oh ! how great is the happiness of the elect ! they are with God, with His angels and saints ; inebriated with a happiness which comprehends all joys and shall never end.

Happy men and wise virgins ! oh ! how happy ye ! — who have renounced all for the love of Christ, anxiously endeavouring to walk in o o the narrow path that leads to the eternal kingdom.

3. Learn then, faithful and devout servants of Jesus Christ, that during this life, ye must watch, and pray, and fast, and labour, and fight against the divers temptations of the fiesh and the spirit.

The flesh must be mortified, lest it rise and kist against the spirit ; — lest it seduce the soul and prevailing over it, draw it down to hell.

To what purpose is the body pampered delicately in this world, if when it quits this passing life, it must endure hell's fearful torments.

And what boots it to be praised and honoured by men here on earth, and so soon afterwards to be humbled and condemned to dwell eternally with the spirit of darkness, and the impious sons of the evil one "^ To enjoy the reputation of a great and learned man in this world, and not be counted in the number of the elect, is a subject of shame and confusion in the eyes of God and His saints : but to suffer for Christ, and to be despised by the wicked for His sake, is high honour, praise, and glory supreme with God and all His saints.

Hence the words of consolation which Jesus Christ addresses to His disciples, and to all who suffer injury or distress for His sake : — " Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you for My sake ; be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven."*