Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/106

 self from  it,  by  pursuing  a  conduct  different  from  that which He  held.

III. What reverence  is  due  to  this  sacred  name,  and, consequently, how  much  you  ought  to  honor  it! You ought not  to  be  content  with  honoring  it  yourself,  but you ought  to  labor  in  increasing  its  honor  among  others. You ought  first  to  begin,  however,  by  yourself:  "  And whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or  in  work,  do  all  in  the  name of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." (Coloss. iii.  17.)  If  you  do not  act  in  this  manner,  you  ought  to  be  afraid  of  pronouncing that  holy  name. " Let  every  one  who  nameth the  name  of  the  Lord  depart  from  iniquity." (2 Tim. ii.  19.)  Say,  therefore,  with  the  Prophet,  "  Help  us,  O God  our  Saviour;  and  for  the  glory  of  Thy  name,  O Lord,  deliver  us,  and  forgive  us  our  sins  for  Thy  name's, sake." (Ps. lxxviii.  9.)

I. Every  Christian  ought  to  be  spiritually  circumcised, according to  the  example  of  his  Lord  and  Master. This spiritual circumcision  is  enjoined  in  the  words  of  the prophet Jeremias:  "Be  circumcised  to  the  Lord,  in  your hearts,  ye  men  of  Juda  and  ye  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem, lest  my  indignation  come  forth  like  fire,  and  burn,  and there  be  no  one  that  can  quench  it,  because  of  the  wickedness of  your  thoughts." (Jer. iv.  4.)  Convince  yourself of  the  necessity  of  this  spiritual  circumcision  and  put it in  practice,  lest  you  incur  the  indignation  of  heaven.

II. This circumcision,  as  St. Bernard says,  must  extend itself  to  the  whole  man. Examine your  heart, therefore, narrowly;  cut  off  all  inordinate  passions,  and every superfluity,  which   may   prevent  your  spiritual