30. On true peace, to be sought for in God alone

"Pax vobis! Ego sum, nolite timere"* " Peace be to you. It is 7, be not afraid."

1 . Christ Jesus is the foundation of our safety, and the only source of true peace.

He that loves Christ, enjoys peac^ and rest in him — desires nothinor out of him, nothing more than him.

The peace of the faithful soul here below consists in suffering for the love of God and in the name of Christ; and whoso thinketh otherwise, is in error, and deceivethhimself. Vain is the labour of him who placeth not God at the beginning of all his thoughts, of all his actions ; — who seeks not, — desires not God alone. " There is no peace to the wicked, saith the Lord God,"* but those who love thy law, O Lord, shall enjoy abundantly the sweetness of thy peace.

2. The peace which Christ j taught and promised, is to be found in profound humility, — in a complete denial of our own will, — in the mortification of our depraved inclinations, — in the contempt of worldly praise, and of all consolation in perishable and passing things.

Watch then over thy heart within, lest thou be seduced by its attractive deceit ; and watch over thy senses without, lest thou seek J c for gratifications injurious to thy soul.

And yet created things often serve to our spiritual advancement, when we refer the use made of them directly and entirely to the honour and glory of God : — or when used with moderation and discretion for our own pressing necessities, or for the good of our brethren .

3. But their beauty often becomes to us an occasion of sin, when beheld with looks full of curiosity— of concupiscence — of passion : — for then they produce in our souls desires and affections contrary to the purpose and glory of God. Thus the unwary are often overcome by evil, and fall, where the wise and good are watchful to preserve their virtue.

Remember that riches tempt, money corrupts, and pleasure stains the soul ; that much feasting chokes it ; knowledge puffeth up ; power breeds self sufficiency, and honours beget pride.

Perverse souls are disgusted with humility ; and vain, empty praise seduces the light and unstable.

There is not only absolute folly but downright frenzy in loving and seeking after pleasure, which cannot satisfy the soul nor give the heart repose ; for all that is of the world shall fail, and is of short duration : nothing but God is perfect, and nothing but Him should we regard as sovereign beatitude and highest good.

4. Beware then, lest beauty of form, nobility of birth, or height of office, engross thy affections and occupy thy mind, if thou wouldst not be deceived and lose the peace of thy heart, and the purity of thy soul. All things are vain, slippery, and hurtful, at least, if not referred to God, from whom cometh all good, and in whom all things live and move, and have their j being.

Glory not then, O frail and mortal man, who in so many things art guilty, so prone to fall into sin, — so weak withal, and unable to stand in virtue ; trust not thyself overmuch, nor be too confident in thyself or others, by high thoughts and vain presumption, but offer and ascribe to God, without restriction or reserve, all the good thou perceivest, whether in thyself or others, or in any other created thing.

Then wilt thou find in Christ that peace of heart, and sweet repose, which may be vainly sought in all created things : then will be accomplished in thee and of thee, the sweet and holy promise of Christ on the mount, " Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God :"* — to Whom be praise, honour, and glory, from every creature, now and for ages of ages. Amen.