Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/372



"Blessed are  the  poor  in  spirit." (Matt. v. 3.)  Ponder, in each  particular  virtue,  its  acts,  Christ's  example,  and its rewards. The proper  acts  of  poverty  are  considered to be  five. 1. He  is  poor  in  spirit,  who  in  affection  is ready  to  lose  all  rather  than  offend  God. 2. He  who actually leaves  all  for  God's  sake. 3. He  who  never  aspires to  things  above  himself,  and  does  not  presume  in himself,  and  does  not  court  the  praises  of  men. 4. He who  denies  his  own  will  and  judgment,  and  submits himself to  others. 5. He  who  acknowledges,  that  every thing, which  he  has,  comes  from  God,  and  who  is  intimately convinced  of  his  own  nothingness,  acknowledging with the  Prophet,  "  my  substance  is  as  nothing  before Thee." (Ps. xxxviii.  6.)  Though  not  bound  to  practice all, every  Christian  is  bound  to  practice  some  of  the above acts.

II. Christ has  given  us  admirable  examples  of  poverty of spirit,  throughout  the  whole  course  of  His  life,  but principally in  His  crib,  in  banishment,  in  His  parents' house, and,  lastly,  on  the  cross. Besides, "  He  debased himself,"  as  St. Paul writes,  (Phil.  ii.  7.)  becoming  obedient, not  only  to  His  eternal  Father  and  His  earthly parents; but  also  to  His  tormentors,  even  to  death  itself. Of His  doctrine,  He  publicly  asserted,  "  My  doctrine  is not  mine,  but  of  Him  that  sent  me." (John vii.  16.)

III. Christ has  promised  to  reward  the  professors  of poverty  of  spirit,  with  the  possession  of  Heaven; "Theirs," he  says,  "  is  the  kingdom  of  Heaven." Reflect how advantageous  it  is,  to  obtain  the  kingdom  of  Heaven with its  eternal  happiness,  by  the  exchange  of  some  few