(ii. 13). Whence the apostle St. Peter (1 Ep. v. 7) tells us, that in all fears whether about our interests for time or for eternity, we should commit ourselves altogether to the goodness of our God, who keeps the greatest care of our safety: " Casting all your care upon Him, 'for He hath care of you." Oh, what a beautiful meaning does this lend to the title which David gives to the Lord, when he says that our God is the God who makes it His care to save: "Our God is the God of salvation" (Ps. lxvii. 21); which signifies, as Bellarmine explains it, that the office peculiar to the Lord is, not to condemn, but to save all. For while He threatens with His displeasure those who disregard Him, He promises, on the other hand, His assured mercies to those who fear Him; as the Divine Mother said in her Canticle: "And His mercy is to them that fear Him." I set before thee, devout soul, all these passages of Scripture, that when the thought disquiets thee: Am I to be saved or no? am I predestined or no? thou mayest take courage, and understand from the promises He makes thee, what desire God has to save thee, if only thou art resolved to serve Him and to love Him as He demands at thy hands.
3. In Joys.
Further, when thou receivest pleasant news, do not act like those unfaithful, thankless souls who have recourse to God in time of trouble, but in time of prosperity forget and forsake Him. Be as faithful to Him as thou wouldst be to a friend who loves thee and rejoices in thy good; go at once and tell Him of thy gladness, and praise Him and give Him thanks, acknowledging it all as a gift from His hands; and rejoice in that happiness because it comes to thee of His good pleasure. Rejoice, therefore, and comfort thyself in Him alone: " I will rejoice in the Lord; and I will joy in God my Jesus"
