THIRD MEDITATION.

For Tuesday.

ON JUDGMENT.

Preparation, same as for Sunday.

Imagine that you are standing as a debtor before Christ, seated on his throne of judgment, and about to give an account of your life unto him.

First Point.

Consider how the soul, released from the bonds of the flesh, and forsaken by all, must stand before Christ its Judge, when neither prayers nor tears shall avail, nor any excuse be admitted, and when your guardian angel and the devil shall produce your good and evil deeds, &c. What shall I, a sinner, plead?

Affections. And shall I still be so careless? "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." 1 Cor. xi. 31.

Second Point.

Consider that you must give account not only of your grievous sins, but for every idle word. Then, perhaps, shall that writing appear against you (Dan. v. 25): "Mane, Thecel, Phares. Mane: God hath numbered thy kingdom, and hath finished it. Thecel: Thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting. Phares: Thy kingdom is divided, and is given to the Medes and Persians."

Affections. And shall I not fear? "Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear, for I am afraid of thy judgments." Ps. cxviii. "Enter not into judgment with thy servant." Ps. cxlii.

Third Point.

Consider with what fear and trembling each one will await the sentence of the Judge, which can never be reversed: "Come, ye blessed," &c.; or, "Depart, ye wicked," &c.

Affections. And shall I hereafter take any pleasure in sin? I will speak in the bitterness of my soul; I will say unto God, Do not condemn me.

Colloquy. Give thanks to Christ, that he has so long granted, and still grants to thee, the time of grace.

FOURTH MEDITATION.
For Wednesday.

ON HELL.

Preparation, same as before.

Imagine to yourself some vast and horrid cavern, full of serpents and other monsters, and from whence issue frightful howlings, with smoke and flames, &c.

First Point.

Consider what eternal damnation is, viz. a never-ending, unchangeable condition, in which the reprobate are tormented without pity or hope of mercy; with torments so great, that the mind of man cannot understand or imagine them; of which the lake burning with brimstone and fire (Apoc. xiv. 10) is but a part, and, as it were, a figure.

Affections. Truly does Isaias say (xxxiii.), " Which of you can dwell with devouring fire? which of you can dwell with everlasting burnings?" O Lord, punish me here with fire and sword, rather than hereafter and through eternity.

Second Point.

Consider well the punishment of the senses, in the eternal torment of the soul as well as of the body. The eyes shall be tormented with spectres; the ears, with howlings, weeping, and blasphemies; the nostrils, with intolerable stench; the tongue and the palate, with liquid pitch and sulphur; the hands, the breast, and all the rest of the body, with unendurable tortures; the memory and intellect shall gnaw the heart with the remembrance and consideration of the neglected time of grace; the will must endure the frustration and contradiction of all its desires. "As much as she hath glorified herself, and lived in delicacies, so much torment and sorrow give ye to her." Apoc. xviii. 7.

Affections. Oh, the blindness of men, who, for one drop of honey, fear not the full draught of so much gall and bitterness.

Third Point.

Consider the pain of loss, which is eternal exclusion from the vision of God and the society of the saints, by far the greatest and most intolerable of all punishments.

Affections. Oh, that I might never forget these things! "Cast me not away from thy face, O Lord." Ps. 1. Let your Colloquy be the deprecation of so great misery.

FIFTH MEDITATION.

For Thursday.

ON THE MERCIES OF GOD.

Preparation, as before.

Imagine to yourself all the gifts of God brought together at one time, and placed before your eyes.

First Point.

Consider that God, from all eternity, set his eyes upon you, and decreed that you should be created out of nothing unto everlasting salvation. Jer. xxxi. 3: "I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore have I drawn thee, taking pity on thee." Then, that he brought you forth in the time of grace, placed you in the Catholic Church, and gave you pious parents, &c.; that he spared you going on in sin, delivered you from many dangers, and drew you into the way of salvation, &c.

Affections. "The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever." Shall I ever offend, by any sin, so great a Bene

Ps. lxxx. factor?

Second Point.

Consider that God appointed the sacraments of baptism and penance that we might be delivered from our sins, not for his own, but for our sakes, for he has no need of us; he might, without injury, have condemned us to eternal damnation, &c.

Affections. "Bless the Lord, oh, that is within me bless his holy name.'

Third Point.

my soul; and let all "Ps. cii.

Consider the incomprehensible love of God towards us, in the institution of the most holy Eucharist, in which he gave himself to us for our food. "There is no other nation so

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great, that hath God so nigh them, as our God is present to us." Deut. iv.

Affections. Where is our love in return? "What shall I render unto the Lord for all the things that he hath rendered to me?" Ps. cxv.

Colloquy. Beg of God not to withdraw his mercies from

you.

SIXTH MEDITATION.
For Friday.

ON THE PASSION AND DEATH OF CHRIST.

Preparation, as before.

Picture to yourself the Mount of Olives, at the foot of which Christ sweat blood; Mount Sion, on which was situated the city of Solyma, where he was accused, scourged, and condemned; and Mount Calvary, where he was crucified.

First Point.

Consider what passed in the garden, the agony, sweat, the prayer.

the bloody

Affections. Who will not suffer with him, and take from his hand the cup of his passion which he giveth to drink?

Second Point.

Consider what he suffered in the city, before Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, &c.; the mockery, buffetings, scourgings, &c. Affections. Here none need be suggested.

Third Point.

Consider what he endured on Mount Calvary, in being stripped of his garments, having his hands and feet pierced. Consider also his words on the cross, &c.

Affections. "Look upon the wounds of thy Saviour, as he hangs on the cross; look on the blood, which, dying, he sheds for thee, the price of thy redemption. His head is bent to kiss thee; his heart is opened to love thee; his arms stretched out to embrace thee. Consider these things, how great they be; weigh them in the balance of thy heart, that

he may be wholly fixed in thy heart, who, for thee, was wholly fastened to the cross."-ST. AUGUSTIN.

Colloquy. Jesus crucified will suggest it.

SEVENTH MEDITATION.

For Saturday.

ON THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

Preparation, as before.

Place before thy mind the Queen of heaven and earth, exalted above all the hosts of heaven, and crowned by the blessed Trinity.

First Point.

Consider both the outward and inward loveliness of that blessed Virgin, of whom the spouse in the Canticle saith, "Thou art all fair, oh, my love, and there is not a spot in thee." How should she not be most beautiful, who brought forth him who was "beautiful above the sons of men?" Assuredly, "The most High hath sanctified his own tabernacle." Ps. xlv.

Affections. Shall not I, at so glorious a vision of Christian perfection, cleanse my soul from its stains? O most pure Virgin, obtain for me grace to do this.

Second Point.

Consider with what privileges and honours the blessed Trinity glorifies her. The Father loves her as his daughter; the Son honours her as his mother; the Holy Ghost embraces her as his bride.

Affections. How can I sufficiently praise thee? &c.

Third Point.

Consider the mercy and tenderness of this mother towards all in misery; and although the mercy of God be infinitely greater, yet infinite also is his justice, in which Mary has no part.

Affections. Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, &c. p. 22. Colloquy, to the blessed Virgin Mary, may be gathered from the Affections.