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MEDITATIONS OF

and limbs; others abandoned to the mercy of re­proaches, contempts, and dishonours; others oppressed with poverty; whilst God has not suffered you to become so miserable.

2. Consider the gifts of mind. How many in the world are stupid, frantic, or mad; and why are you not of this number? God has favoured you. How many are there who have been brought up rudely and in gross ignorance; and by God's providence, you have been educated liberally and honourably.

3. Consider the spiritual graces. You are a child of the Catholic Church; God hath taught you to know him, even from your most tender age. How often hath he given you his Sacraments? How many inspirations, internal illuminations, and reprehensions for amend­ment? How frequently hath he pardoned you your faults? how often hath he delivered you from the occasions of casting yourself away, to which you were exposed? And were not all these years past given you as a time and opportunity to advance the good of your soul? Consider, in particular, how good and gracious God hath always been to you.

Affections and Resolutions.- Admire the goodness of God. Oh! how good is my God towards me! Oh! how gracious is he! How rich is thy heart, O Lord, in mercy, and liberal in clemency! O my soul, let us re­count, for ever, how many favours he hath done us.

2. Be astonished at your ingratitude. But what am I, O Lord, that thou art so mindful of me? Oh! how great is my unworthiness! Alas! I have even trodden thy blessings under foot. I have dishonoured thy graces, perverting them into abuses and contempt of thy sovereign goodness. I have opposed the depth of my in­gratitude to the height of thy grace and favour.

3. Stir yourself up to acknowledgment. Well then, my heart, be now no more unfaithful, ungrateful, and disloyal to this great benefactor. And now, shall not