with Christ. I hope, therefore, to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. For how can it be that thou wilt reject me, O infinite Goodness, when thou callest me in so many ways? Lost thou invite me and draw me to thee thus, and yet wilt thou suffer me to faint by the way? In thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me not be confounded for ever. This hope is laid up in my bosom. In all my difficulties this strengthens my heart, so that I faint not in my troubles. For I believe that my Redeemer lives, and that, when he shall bring me into his kingdom, he will fill me with joy with his countenance. Oh, hope that does not make ashamed 1 Oh, how great a solace in trial is the hope of so great a reward!
III. CHARITY.
Thy will be done.
Inflame my heart, O most tender Father, with thy love; so will it not be hard to do thy will and obey thy commandments. For to one who loves nothing is impossible, or even difficult; for love is strong as death. Oh, that it may fill and rule my heart! For hence there will spring and grow up between thee and me such a conformity of conduct and union of will, that my will will be the same as thine, and there will be no more rebellion of my will against thine, but all my will shall be in thy law. But what mark of true love and friendship can be plainer than this? Who is he that loves thee, but he who has thy commandments, and keeps them? The exhibition of it in practice is the certain proof of love.
IV. TEMPERANCE.
Give us this day our daily bread.
The soul is supported by temperance, .as the body by food; nay, a sober and moderate diet is useful both to body and soul. Grant me, therefore, with the bridle of right reason, to curb the use of the pleasures that belong to this life, lest perhaps my heart be overcharged with surfeiting and gluttony, and my corruptible body weigh down my soul, that should muse upon heavenly things. Rightly do I to ask for this daily food, for the bait of pleasure lurks and is every where ready to ensnare us under almost all the creatures that we daily use.
V. JUSTICE.
And forgive us our trespasses.
Justice is, to give every one his due. Now, what do we owe our neighbour, but to love one another, to bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil
