Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/153

 represent some  grave  personage as  present  to  the  mind. Let any  one  then  who  would  he ashamed  to  address  a Christian in  the  language  of  a heathen, he  himself  ashamed  to appear  a worse  character  than the heathen  himself. Accept, he says, of  a useful and  salutary maxim,  which  I would wish thee  to  fix  firmly  in  thy mind. We must choose  some good man  (one,  in  fact,  like our  angel  guardian), and  keep him always  before  our  eyes; to live  as  if  he  were  always looking at  us,  and  to  do  every thing as  if  he  always  saw  us. A vast number  of  sins  is avoided,  by  the  presence  of  a witness  with  those  who  are going to  sin. Let the  mind have one  whom  it  holds  in awe,  by  whose  authority  it may  increase  the  sacredness even of  its  own  secret. Happy the man  who  is  corrected,  not by an  action  only,  but  even  by a thought!

Bear, then, this  counsel  in mind,  and  studiously  watch, and readily  follow,  the  guidance of  thy  guardian. Invoke him very  frequently  during the day,  and  always  in  perils and temptations,  that  he  may faithfully watch  and  protect thee, direct all  thy  steps,  prosper thy  actions, remove  from thee all  dangers  and  occasions of evil,  and  bring  to  nought the treacherous  plots  of  thy enemies.

We read  that  it  was  the practice of  good  men  to  endeavour to  fortify  themselves  with an angelic  safeguard  for  every undertaking, and  to  invoke, not only  their  own  angel guardians, but  those  with whom they  were  to  be  engaged, for  safety,  peace,  or the  promotion  of  the  glory  of God. Hence, too,  they  earnestly besought  the  aid  of  the angels who  preside  over  kingdoms, provinces,  cities, and places. Instances of  this,  not to mention  others,  are  found in St. Francis Xavier,  St. Aloysius,  and  Peter  Faber. St. Bonaventure  relates  the great devotion  of  St.  Francis to St. Michael. Follow their example, and  you  will  find  it a secret  but  effectual  instrument of  success  in  your  undertakings, and  of  escape  from numerous perils.

Lord, have  mercy  on  us.

Christ, have  mercy  on  us.

Lord, have  mercy  on  us.

Christ, hear  us.