following, to examine the occasions that I had of falling, by reason of such a place, or such a person, or such a business; and, besides, to determine to separate myself from this occasion, if I can leave it; and, if not, to resolve to use greater circumspection, and to enter into it with precaution. But since our resolutions are very weak and mutable, if our Lord with His grace do not fortify and establish them, I must beseech Him that, seeing He gave me "to will," He will likewise give me grace to accomplish it; [1] and so I will conclude with the prayer of the " Our Father," making a pause with affection, in the three last petitions of it, forming, in this manner, an amorous colloquy.
Colloquy. — I acknowledge, O my God, the two debts with which I am charged for Thy benefits, and for my sins. All that I have here done is but little to satisfy for them; for that which is wanting I offer to Thee the most precious blood of Thy Son, shed with infinite love and thankfulness, and with excessive sorrow and pain. For which, I beseech Thee, pardon the debts of my sins, and aid me that I may no more return to them. Permit me not to fall into the temptations that shall assail me, but deliver me from all evil for the glory of Thy holy name! Amen.
MEDITATION XXIX.
ON ANOTHER FORM OF PRAYER, BY MAKING, THREE TIMES A-DAY, A PARTICULAR EXAMINATION OF SOME ONE VICE, IN ORDER TO UPROOT IT.
Besides the general care which we ought to have to cleanse the soul of all her vices and sins, it is very convenient (as the holy fathers say, and especially Cassian[2]) to employ a particular study to eradicate some one vice of
