Their mind is tranquil, and the day passes calmly over their heads.

All their delight is to think of their future prospects, and the joys they shall one day possess.

But if some unruly passion gain admittance into their soul, how soon will it disturb this sweet repose;

It promises every thing at first; all pleasure, all happiness; but it soon betrays its pernicious tendency.

It soon unmasks its treacherous designs, and opens a door to all their enemies.

Thus through a little breach in the walls of a city, does a whole army pour in its numerous forces;

Enslaving all that submit to its violence, and destroying all that offer to resist it.

And such, alas! is the confusion of the soul, when it has once yielded to the assault of its passions.

Immediately a throng of tumultuous spirits rush upon it, and utterly consume the little remnant of its peace.

O the distraction of a life governed by fancy, and the miserable thraldom of being subject to the inclinations of corrupt nature!

How often do they urge us to contend with others, and embitter our days with strife and envy!

How often are they opposed to each other, and harass our soul by the conflict which they carry on within us!

If, by chance, they agree in any one desire, what vexation arises from their disappointment!

If they sometimes succeed in the attainment of their wishes, how seldom do they satisfy the mind!

If they delight our perverted taste, it is then, alas! they inflict the greatest injury, by encouraging the spiritual evils under which we labour.

Vain at best, and short are the enjoyments of this world, and, after a trivial satisfaction, they beget ruin and affliction of spirit.

Save us, O blessed Jesus! or else we perish; awake, and rescue thy servants by a prompt assistance.

Send down thy powerful grace to sustain us, and to prevent these unhappy disorders; That we may again return to our former rest, and enjoy a constant peace:

Peace with the wicked, by bearing their injuries; and with the good, by emulating their virtues:

Peace with ourselves, by a due subjection of the senses to reason; and with thee, by devoting our whole being to thy service.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

Ant. A good conscience is a source of continual peace, and a foretaste of heavenly joys.

Ant. Thou art, O Lord! the only anchor of cur hopes; save us, O Jesus! or else we perish.

Psalm XLVIII.

THEY who indulge their passions, are tossed to and fro upon a boisterous sea, the sport of the winds and the waves.

Their wearied souls soon faint within them, when they see that the Lord has withdrawn his presence.

They seek him, but cannot find him; they call upon him, but he gives them no answer.

O still continue to call upon your God, for his mercy will surely awake at last.

Though he sometimes may slumber for a while, to test your fervour or punish your infidelity;

Though he may permit the tempest to rage for a short time, to shew you your hopeless state, if left to yourselves,

Yet be assured that he will hear your prayers at last, and will not allow you to perish forever.

When his disciples are on the point of suffering shipwreck, behold his blessed voice commands a calm, and immediately the sea and winds obey him;

Immediately his sun arises in their hearts, and with his gentle beams revives their hopes.

Thus will our darkness be turned into light, and the clouds dispersed before the brightness of day.

Thus shall we recollect our scattered thoughts, and range them again in their ancient order:

Often looking back on the dangers we have escaped, and as often blessing the mercy that delivered us:

Often looking forward upon the course we pursue, and as often exulting at the happy change.

Welcome again, thou easy yoke of Christ, and the light burthen of his sacred law!

Welcome, holy practices of sweet devotion, and the consoling exercise of mental prayer!

Now we acknowledge that important truth, and O may we imprint it deeply on our minds;

That the pleasures of virtue are pure and constant, and blessings innumerable follow in its train.

But the paths of vice are difficult and perplexing, and bring its votaries to endless misery.

O Lord! who raisest them that fall, and art the only support of those who stand,

Pity the weakness of thy children, who look up to thee, and know too well that they are nothing of themselves.

May we never forget this wholesome lesson, though bought by a dear experience.

Teach us to observe our faults, and daily to fortify ourselves against them: