Chapter II. The principal means of perfection

Article I

T/the Sacraments are the principal means of acquiring perfection.

The chief exercises of perfection are the Sacraments, when we bring thereto the necessary preparation j and yet, strange to say, this it is which seems most to be neglected.

The Sacraments bestow graces which tend to produce in us the effects that are peculiar to each : confession, a great purity of heart ; communion, a close union with God, and a fervour of spirit in all our actions. lt is a matter of moral demonstration, that nothing conduces more to the progress of souls than confession and daily communion, provided we have made at the beginning three or four good confessions to lay the foundation of a good conscience ; for the more you frequent these Sacraments, the more grace you receive for participating in their effects. Now the effects of these, two Sacraments, purity of heart and fervour of spirit, are the best preparation with which we can approach to receive them.

§ in.

A soul which before communion should find itself weak, languishing, and in darkness, and after communion finds itself enlightened, fervent, and vigorous, cannot doubt the fruits of its communion ; the effect of the Sacraments being to confer upon souls their own special grace, which is called sacramental. So after a good confession, the soul is greatly enlightened to know its own interior, it is filled with humble and loving contrition, and enjoys peace and repose of conscience. After a good communion, it experiences a sweet savour of God, and fresh strength to employ itself in His service,

Article II

The use of penances.

The mean we ought to observe in penances is neither, on the one hand, to do so much as to injure health, nor, on the other, so little as to allow the rebellion of nature to be felt too strongly.

When we have arrived at a high perfection, we can do much with considerable ease ; and by a special favour of God, we may even perform heroic penances, such as the Saints have done.

The most hurtfiil are those which deprive us of sleep, albeit God bestows on the most perfect the grace to sleep but little.

Thus the measure of penances varies with different persons, different constitutions, ages, conditions, times^ and needs.