Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/108

 murmuring, and  detraction. Regulate your  taste,  by refraining  from  excess  in  eating  and  drinking;  "for  the kingdom  of  God  is  not  meat  and  drink." (Rom. xiv.  17.)

II. You must  not  omit  to  circumcise  the  vices  of  the tongue, and  to  cut  off  all  detraction  and  murmuring,  and whatever tends  to  sow  and  propagate  discord. Correct everything in  your  conversation  which  is  contentious, injurious, impertinent,  or  unseemly. Never speak  with disrespect of  God  and  holy  things. Avoid flattery, double-dealing, and  dissimulation. Remember you  are a follower  of  Christ,  of  whom  it  is  said,  "  He  did  no  sin, neither  was  guile  found  in  His  mouth." (1 Pet.  ii.  22.) Examine yourself  on  each  of  these  particulars,  and  pray with holy  David,  "Set  a  watch,  O  Lord!  before  my mouth  and  a  door  round  about  my  lips." (Ps. cxl.  3.)  For " if  any  man  offend  not  in  word,  the  same  is  a  perfect man." But, on  the  contrary,  "  if  any  man  think  himself to  be  religious,  not  bridling  his  tongue,  but  deceiving  his own  heart,  this  man's  religion  is  vain." (James iii.  2, and  i.  26.)

III. You must  finally  extend  this  spiritual  circumcision to all  superfluities  regarding  the  body,  as  clothing, sleep, amusements,  and  the  other  conveniences  of  life. " Having  food  and  wherewith  to  be  covered,  with  these we  are  content,"  says  the  Apostle. (1 Tim.  vi.  8.)  Divest yourself, then,  of  all  these  superfluities,  in  order  that  you may become  more  like  Christ,  who  said  of  Himself,  "I am  poor,  and  in  labors  from  my  youth." (Ps. lxxxvii.  16.)