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 hope. But a day  or  two  of  pilgrimage  and  exile, and then  I shall  be  with  him  for  ever.

3. What  matters  it  how  we  fare  here  below, provided we  be  with  Jesus  for  all  eternity? Can I justly  complain  that  a never-ending  happiness  should cost me  so  little? The martyrs  purchased  heaven
 * it the  price  of  their  blood,  and  thought  it  was  given

them for  nothing. Shall not  I then  sacrifice  my corrupt  will  for  it? O happy eternity! if men  only knew what  thou  art  worth !

[Excite within yourself  a great  desire  of  heaven; and  behold  the earth  with  a proportionable  contempt. Were you  filled  with  a proper  sense  of  it,  nothing  here  below  could  allure  or  disturb  you.]

“I shall be  satisfied  when  thy  glory  shall  appear.” — Psalm  xvi.

“ If the labour  terrifies,  the  reward  invites." — St.  Bernard.

1. God  at  this  moment  beholds  me  as  if  I were alone in  the  world; or,  rather,  he  is  within  me  as an  eye  infinitely  enlightened,  which  observes  me constantly,  and  which  nothing  can  escape. He sees me as  clearly  as  he  comprehends  himself.

2. Ought  I not  to  be  infinitely  more  ashamed  that my sins  should  appear  in  his  sight,  than  that  they should be  exposed  to  the  eyes  of  the  whole  world? Would I commit  in  the  presence  of  a servant,  what I dare commit  before  the  King  of  kings? O what blindness ! to fear  so  much  the  eyes  of  men, and so  little  the  eyes  of  God.

3. The  most  obscure  darkness  can  never  conceal me from  light  itself: the  most  distant  and  solitary retreats are  always  filled  with  the  Divine  Majesty. Let me  shun,  as  much  as  I please,  the  sight  and  the company of  men,  I will  find  God  everywhere.

[Put yourself in  the  presence  of  God. and see  whether  there  be anything  in  you  that  may  offend  his  eyes. The most,  powerful.