Page:PracticeOfChristianAndReligiousPerfectionV1.djvu/68

 deserving of  any  more,  Solomon,  in  the  book  of  Wisdom,  gives a good  reason  why  the  manna,  which  resisted  the  violence  of  fire, dissolved and  corrupted  as  soon  as  the  first  ray  of  the  sun  appeared. " It  is,  O  Lord,"  says  he,  "  that  it  might  be  known  to  all,  that we  ought  to  prevent  the  sun  to  bless  thee." (Wisd. xvi.  28.) Thus, in  order  to  punish  the  indolence  of  those,  who  would  not rise before  the  sun,  to  avail  themselves  of  his  benefits  towards them, God  permitted  that  the  first  beam  of  the  sun  should deprive them  of  food  for  the  whole  day. The same  thing  is beautifully  represented  to  us  by  our  Saviour,  in  the  parable  of  the nobleman, who,  going  into  a  far  country,  to  take  possession  of a  kingdom,  called  his  servants,  and  divided  amongst  them  his money, that  they  might  trade  during  his  absence;  and,  at  his return, having  demanded  an  account  of  them,  he  appointed  them governors of  as  many  cities  as  they  had  gained  talents:  to  him that gained  ten  talents,  he  gave  the  government  of  ten  cities,  and to him  that  gained  five  talents,  he  gave  the  government  of  five cities. (Luke, xix.  12.)  This  plainly  shews  us,  that  as  this nobleman was  pleased  to  recompense  the  fidelity  and  industry  of tis  servants  with  such  excessive  liberality  as  to  give  him  who gained ten  talents,  the  government  of  ten  cities;  so,  Almighty God, if  we  faithfully  correspond  with  the  inspirations  he  sends  us, will shower  down  his  graces  and  blessings  on  us  in  abundance;  but on the  other  hand,  if  we  do  not  diligently  follow  the  motions  of grace,  we  will  not  only  be  deprived  of  what  we  have  received,  but we will  be  severely  punished,  as  the  unprofitable  servant  was,  who did not  lay  out  to  advantage  the  talent  he  had  received.

It is  said  of  Apelles,  that  in  whatsoever  business  he  was engaged, he  never  let  pass  a  day  without  exercising  himself  in  his own profession,  by  painting  something  or  other. For this  purpose he always  endeavoured  to  find  out  some  time  amid  his  other  employments, and  to  excuse  himself  from  going  into  company,  was wont to  say,  "  This  day  I  have  not  as  yet  drawn  one  stroke  with my  pencil so  that,  by  this  means,  he  became  a  most  excellent painter.  In  like  manner,  you  will  become  a  perfect  religious,  if you  let  no  day  pass  without  making  some  advancement  in  virtue: practise  daily  some  act  of  mortification — correct  some  fault  you were  accustomed  to  commit^and  you  will  quickly  find,  that  your life  will  become  every  day  more  perfect.  When  you  examine your  conscience  at  noon,  and  perceive  that  you  have  done  nothing that  morning  conducive  to  your  improvement,  that  you  have mortified  yourself  in  nothing,  that  you  have  performed  no  act  of