learnt well from my words and example, that the kingdom of heaven should suffer violence, and the violent bear it away.
Nor shall thou be deprived of those good things, if, like them, thou walk in innocence, and dispose in thy heart to ascend by steps, in the vale of tears, in the place that has been set for thee by thy first parents, and by thy own sin. But fear not, I, thy protector, am with thee. I will go before thee, and will humble the great ones of the earth. I, who have aided the saints, will not fail thee; and I will give thee my blessing, that thou mayest go from virtue to virtue, until, with my elect, thou see the God of gods in Sion, and art inebriated with the plenty of my house.
Man. Blessed is the man whom thou instructest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law. Teach me, I beseech thee, to do thy will, for I, too, long to be partaker with all that fear thee and keep thy commandments.
Christ. Thy sanctification is my will. Be holy, because I am holy; from me all the saints derived all the holiness they possessed. I might propose to thee myself only, as the perfect pattern of all virtue and perfection; for I am the way, the truth, and the life. I am the door; by me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved. But it will be very useful to thee to look upon my elect, thy brethren, like thyself in the infirmity of the flesh, who yet bravely overcame the world, the flesh, and the devil. It may not perhaps seem wonderful, if a singular and extraordinary perfection is discovered in my works, because all the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily in me. But thou canst not but wonder to see how the saints lived not according to the flesh, but by a saving hatred of self, lost their lives in this world, that they might keep them to life eternal.
I. Praise of the Saints.
In the first place then, often hear, read, meditate, upon, and admire the acts of the saints. Praise their virtues, their constancy, patience, fortitude; extol their chastity and abstinence; celebrate their obedience, poverty, and contempt of the world. For the more marks of virtue thou celebratest in them, the more miracles thou celebratest of my power and goodness.
If, therefore, thou wilt honour my friends who reign with me in glory, or venerate one of the saints whom thou most lovest as thy patron, and wouldst render them an acceptable service, praise God and give him thanks, for having chosen, from all eternity, St. N. to be his friend; for
