Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/379

 affection, for  He  acted  like  the  good  Samaritan,  "who bound  up  the  wounds,  of  him  that  fell  among  robbers." (Luke x.  30.)     Therefore  "go  thou  and  do  in  like  man

Ill. Consider the  reward  attached  to  works  of  mercy. " They  shall  obtain  mercy." This mercy  will  accompany them in  this  life,  it  will  extend  to  both  body  and  soul, and it  will  be  their  reward  in  the  next  life:  "With  the same  measure,  that  you  shall  measure,  it  shall  be measured  to  you  again." (Luke, vi.  38.)  Reflect  how much you  stand  in  need  of  God's  mercy,  and  what your case  would  have  been,  had  God  dealt  with  you according to  your  deserts. Be merciful,  therefore,  to others,  that  you  may  obtain  mercy. Meditate on  the sentence of  St.  James:  "judgment  without  mercy  to  him, that  hath  not  done  mercy." (James ii.  13.)

I. "  Blessed  are  the  clean  of  heart." (Matt. v.  8.)  The Christian, whose  heart  is  clean,  is  free  from  all  sin,  both mortal and  venial;  his  mind  is  frequently  exercised  with pious and  holy  thoughts,  and  all  his  actions  are  accompanied with  a  right  intention. He does  nothing  to  gain the applause  of  mankind. Hence the  Apostle  requires from all  Christians,  "  Charity  from  a  pure  heart  and  a good  conscience,  and  an  unfeigned  faith." (1. Tim.  i.  5.) Examine the  state  of  your  mind  on  these  subjects.

II. Christ was  a  perfect  model  of  this  virtue,  for  He "  did  no  sin,  neither  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth." (1. Pet. ii.  22.)    Hence  is  "the  brightness  of  eternal  light,