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 ments, yet  whose  hands  are  empty  before  God, because they  do  their  own  will,  and  not  his; because their devotion  is  little  better  than  sloth,  which  leads them, under  cover  of  piety,  to  neglect  those  duties which God  has  allotted  them,  and  which  should  be their  conscientious  pursuit  and  their  glory.

In the  public  life  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  was  a series  of  miracles  and  wonders,  humility,  patience, mortification, meekness,  and  unexampled  charity, were lessons  which  he  never  ceased  to  preach  to  the world. The imitation  of  Jesus  Christ  in  this  respect is a point  of  the  utmost  importance,  because  charity was a favourite  virtue  of  Jesus— the  virtue  to  which he sacrificed  his  life — the  virtue  by  which  he  would have his  real  followers  distinguished — and  the  virtue also which  St.  Francis  of  Sales  calls  the  peculiar  fruit of a good  communion. Resolve, then,  that  the  fruits of your  having  been  so  lately  united  to  the  God  of Charity  should  appear  evident  by  your  gentleness, patience, forbearance,  silence  on  the  defects  of  others, and endeavours  to  serve  and  oblige  all,  particularly those who  may  appear  to  you  least  amiable  or deserving. Conclude this  meditation,  by  fervently and humbly  begging  of  God  to  impress  the  truths it contains  so  deeply  on  your  heart,  that  your  ideas and conduct  may,  in  future,  be  happily  regulated by them.

First Point. — Consider,  that  Christians  in  general frustrate more  or  less  the  designs  of  Christ  in  instituting this  mystery  of  love; some  by  constantly relapsing into  mortal  sin  after  their  Communion;