Self-know

ledge very profitable.

ascend to things above, that I may know whence I come, and whither I go, what I am and whence, that so by knowing myself, I may be enabled to attain to the knowledge of God. For by how much I profit in self-knowledge, by so much do I approach unto the knowledge of God. Whence do I come? after the outward man, of those parents, who made me the child of wrath, before I was so much as born; sinful themselves, in sin they begat a sinful being, who increased in sin. What am I? a man, come from a little moisture. For of human seed was I conceived at the moment of conception, and increasing by little and little, was made into flesh, till after a while, crying and wailing, I was sent forth on this world's banishment; and lo, now waxed greater, I am full of iniquities, and shortly I must be presented before the strict Judge, and then shall it be said of me, Behold the man, and his works. Think on these things more deeply.

IMAGE THE EIGHTH.

CONSIDER FREQUENTLY WHAT ADVERSITIES MAY HAPPEN TO THEE, AND PREPARE THY MIND FOR THEM.

Anticipate the evils and inconveniences which may happen to thee even on this very day, and remember that thou art born again in Baptism and called under this common law, that thou shouldst carry thy cross together with Christ (A), and after Him shouldst enter into Glory. Embrace therefore the Cross with St. Andrew (B), and strengthen thyself by the example of the saints, such as that of the elder Tobit (C), and of Job (D). For by the great charity of God (E), thy cross hath been weighed out for thee from all eternity, in proportion to thy strength; and hath been as it were sent unto thee by an Angel (F). If thou refusest this the devil will impose on thee a heavier weight (G). Resign thyself therefore unto God, that He may lead thee, and direct thee, for He only knoweth the ends of all ways (H); and take care that thou dost not choose thy way from thine own understanding, being ignorant of all things; and console thyself by this consideration, that the cross of one short hour (I), will be compensated by an eternal reward (K).

Consideration

OF THE EVILS WHICH MAY OCCUR TO US, AND FIRST ON PUTTING UP WITH THE DEFECTS OF OTHERS.

greatest safeguard in the way of life.

RIGHTLY to act and suffer, with courage and hardihood, is the part of a Christian; but as much as the world endeavours to divert us Patience the from the right way by her soft allurements, no less do we diverge from the same oftentimes of our own accord under the pressure of adversities; wherefore not without reason did the philosopher place wisdom in these two things,—to bear and forbear. By this exercise, therefore, thou mayst by the grace of God compose thyself to endure the evils of this life and prepare thy mind to meet them. For as the common saying is, the weapons that are foreseen are less likely to strike; and we endure, says Gregory, with greater equanimity the evils of the world, if we are fortified against them with the shield of forethought. Every day therefore in the morning, as has been sometimes already mentioned, we ought to anticipate them by providential foresight, and against fortuitous attacks and surprises of enemies to keep the gates of our soul diligently guarded with an unremitting watch. After, therefore, we have settled and disposed of the things which are to be done, let us turn our eye to the things which we shall be called upon to suffer; and at the same time to look to God Who with the greatest Look to the goodness and equity moderates and weighs all things;-to the Divine proexample of Christ our Lord and of His Saints; and to those eternal rewards which are laid up for one short hour of tribulation. And it will be of no little advantage to observe that the way the Cross is the only way that leadeth unto life, all others are crooked and circuitous, and have an unhappy termination, to life. although the beginnings are inviting and pleasant. But this consideration especially renders the mind quiet, that no one knows among mortal men which may be to him the way of salvation; remedy of and therefore in a matter so uncertain there is but one most

vidence.

of The

way of the cross alone leads

Efficacious

evils.

a Hom. Evan. 35.