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 dalen, Zaccheus, Saul, and other notable penitents, of whose marvellous conversions we shall make special meditations in the third part, in which those that have passed by these (which will be put here) may exercise themselves.

5. And although these are most proper to such as desire fervently to convert themselves to God our Lord, and to such as are beginners in virtue, who desire to purify themselves from all the dregs and ill customs of their former life; yet (as the Holy Spirit says) because no man should lose the fear that his sin is not pardoned, and because the "just man" falls "seven times," it is therefore reason that the just also now and then should renew these meditations, to purify themselves of their present sins, and to assure themselves the better of the pardon of those passed; for to this end is the counsel of Ecclesiasticus, that we cease not to pray nor to justify ourselves until death. And Christ our Lord says in the Apocalypse, " He that is just, let him be justified still, and he that is holy, let him be sanctified still;" increasing every day in purity of conscience and in sanctity of life.

This first meditation is the beginning and foundation of the spiritual life; for (as Cassian notes in his first Collation of a Religious man's end) before all things we are to fix our eyes upon the end of our life and of our profession, as well upon the last end, which is the kingdom of heaven, as upon the nearer end and mark, which is purity of heart,