Page:Stalphonsuspraye00ligu.djvu/91

 (ii. 13). Whence the  apostle  St. Peter (1  Ep.  v.  7) tells us,  that  in  all  fears  whether  about  our  interests for time  or  for  eternity,  we  should  commit  ourselves altogether to  the  goodness  of  our  God,  who  keeps the greatest  care  of  our  safety:  "  Casting  all  your  care upon  Him,  'for  He  hath  care  of  you." Oh, what  a beautiful  meaning  does  this  lend  to  the  title  which David gives  to  the  Lord,  when  he  says  that  our  God is the  God  who  makes  it  His  care  to  save:  "Our God  is  the  God  of  salvation"  (Ps.  lxvii.  21);  which signifies, as  Bellarmine  explains  it,  that  the  office peculiar to  the  Lord  is,  not  to  condemn,  but  to  save all. For while  He  threatens  with  His  displeasure those who  disregard  Him,  He  promises,  on  the  other hand, His  assured  mercies  to  those  who  fear  Him; as the  Divine  Mother  said  in  her  Canticle:  "And His  mercy  is  to  them  that  fear  Him." I set  before thee, devout  soul,  all  these  passages  of  Scripture, that when  the  thought  disquiets  thee:  Am  I  to  be saved  or  no? am I  predestined  or  no?  thou  mayest take courage,  and  understand  from  the  promises  He makes  thee,  what  desire  God  has  to  save  thee,  if only  thou  art  resolved  to  serve  Him  and  to  love Him as  He  demands  at  thy  hands.

urther, when  thou  receivest  pleasant  news,  do not  act  like  those  unfaithful,  thankless  souls who have  recourse  to  God  in  time  of  trouble, but in  time  of  prosperity  forget  and  forsake  Him. Be as faithful  to  Him  as  thou  wouldst  be  to  a  friend  who loves thee  and  rejoices  in  thy  good;  go  at  once  and tell Him  of  thy  gladness,  and  praise  Him  and  give Him thanks,  acknowledging  it  all  as  a  gift  from  His hands; and  rejoice  in  that  happiness  because  it comes  to  thee  of  His  good  pleasure. Rejoice, therefore, and  comfort  thyself  in  Him  alone:  "  I  will  rejoice in  the  Lord;  and  I  will  joy  in  God  my  Jesus"