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 fully performed  this  duty, then, at  length,  will  I myself be thy  reward; yes,  myself; for when  thou  hast  obtained me, thy  desire  will  be  fully satisfied. For the  soul  that is capable  of  enjoying  the Supreme Good  can  never  be satisfied  with  less.

Behold, this,  my  son,  is  thy end for  which  thou  wert  created. For this  wert  thou placed in  this  World  as  a pilgrim  and  a stranger,  not having here  a lasting  city,  but to seek  one  that  is  to  come. For this  wert  thou  set  in this  course,  that,  by  running and striving  vigorously,  thou mightst at  last  receive  the prize and  the  crown  of  justice.

But, ah,  how  blind  and wretched are  they  who  are neither wise  nor  understand this, and  so  care  for  nothing less than  the  end  they  were created for;  and,  as  if  they had received  their  souls  for nothing, care  only  about things present,  and  are wholly taken  up  with  those which the  Gentiles  seek,  who know not  God; nay,  which are objects  of  desire  to  the very cattle,  which  have  not understanding to  comprehend the  end  of  others. Hence, like  beasts,  they  rot in their  dung;  they  are  become corrupt  and  abominable in their  ways,  and  live  as though  there  were  no  God, and no  knowledge  in  the  Most High, — as though  man  and beast had  one  end,  and  the condition of  both  were  the same. So seldom,  or  never, do they  think  of  heaven  and the rewards  of  heaven!

. The  light  of  thy countenance, O Lord,  has  indeed been  signed  upon  us; because, together  with  the light of  reason,  or  the  gift of understanding,  the  traces of thy  bounty,  love,  and  favour have  been  impressed upon our  minds. Hence, too, thou hast  given  joy  to  my heart,  arising  from  the  consideration of  so  excellent  a gift,  and  of  the  good  things which thou  hast  prepared  for them that  love  thee,  and make a good  use  of  that  gift. For thou  art  the  portion  of my  inheritance  and  of  my  cup: it is  thou  that  wilt  restore my inheritance  to  me. For beside thee,  what  have  I in heaven,  and  what  have  I desired upon  earth,  O God  of my  heart,  and  God  that  art my portion  for  ever!

Having, then,  learnt the end  of  thy  creation,  which is my  glory,  take  care  to  make it the  aim  and  object  of  all thy actions,  that  is,  to  direct all thy  works  to  the  greater glory of  my  name. For the practice of  a pure  and  right intention is  as  it  were  the sum of  all  piety  and  perfection. If thy  eye  be  single