ST. FRANCIS DE SALES.

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my soul henceforth be wholly subject to God, who hath done so many wonders and favours to me and for me?

4. Ah! withdraw then your body from such and such sensualities; and consecrate it to the service of God, who hath done so much for it. Apply your soul to know and acknowledge him by such exercises as shall be requisite for that purpose. Employ diligently the means which you have in the Church to save your soul, and love Almighty God. Yes, O my God, I will be di­ligent in prayer; I will hear thy holy word; and put in practice thy inspirations and counsels.

Conclusion.- 1. Thank God for the knowledge which he hath now given you of your duty, and for the benefits hitherto received. 2. Offer him your heart, with all your resolutions. 3. Pray that he will strengthen you to practise them faithfully, through the merits of his Son's death. Implore the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, and of the Saints. Our Father. Hail Mary. I believe in God,& c.- Make your little spiritual nosegay as before.

THE FOURTH MEDITATION- On Sin.

Prepara- PLACE yourself in the presence of God. 2.

tion you.

Considerations.- 1. Call to mind how long it is since you began to sin, and examine how much, since that beginning, sins have been multiplied in your heart! How, every day, you have increased them against God, against yourself, and against your neighbour, by work, by word, or by desire!

2. Consider your evil inclinations, and how far you have followed them; and by these two points, you shall find that your sins are greater in number than the hairs of your head, yea, than the sands of the sea.

3. Consider, in particular, the sins ingratitude against God, which is a general sin and extends itself over all the rest, making them infinitely more enormous.