Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/35

 Trinity, the  Triune  God,  is  proposed  as  the  object  of  worship, in  the  clear  vision  and  fruition  of  whom  consists  the end of  man. For God  himself  is  the  reward  of  his  own service.

II. This end  might  appear  arduous  and  unattainable  to us,  were  it  not  that  we  behold  it  attained  already  by  others. In order,  therefore,  not  to  be  too  tardy  in  our  endeavours, we ought  to  be  stirred  by  their  example. For why  should we despair  of  our  ability  to  do  what  we  know  that  others have effected? The Blessed  have  effected  it,  who  now  reign in heaven  with  God; and  they  aid  us  by  their  patronage, that we  may  be  able  to  effect  it  likewise. Their Worship  and Veneration, therefore,  will  be  treated  of  in  the  Second  Part.

III. Further, we  cannot  imitate  the  Saints,  nor  have them for  our  patrons,  unless  we  recover  ourselves  from  our sins, and  do  penance  like  them,  putting  off  the  old  man,  and putting on  the  new. Hence, therefore,  the  right  practice of Penance  and  of  Confession  of  Sins  will  be  treated  in  the Third Part.

IV. But it  is  not  enough  to  decline  from  evil, unless  we also  do  good,  and  are  equally  attentive  to  the  duties  of Christian  justice. The Fourth  Part,  therefore,  will  treat  of the  Spiritual  and  Religious  Life,  and  of  the  virtues  and  means that belong  to  it.

V. This  life,  however,  needs  aliment,  that  it  may  not become weak  and  faint,  but  increase  more  and  more  in strength  and  stature. But aliment  of  what  kind? The Bread which  strengthens  man's  heart,  that,  namely,  which came down  from  heaven,  and  gives  life  to  the  world. For the Flesh  of  Christ  is  meat  indeed,  and  his  Blood  is  drink indeed. This it  is  that  refreshes  and  strengthens  the  powers of the  soul,  that  we  may  not  faint  in  the  way. Therefore Holy Communion  and  the  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  will  be treated  of  in  the  Fifth  Part.

VI. Again, because  the  life  of  man  is  ever  exposed  to