fighting against it, until I vanquish it. Again, sometimes I may call to mind that it was likewise at midday that Christ our Lord ascended above all the heavens to enjoy the fruit of His labours.
And with this consideration I may animate myself to fight anew against my passions; and with both considerations I may say to Him that of the Canticles:
Colloquy. — "Show me, O Thou whom my soul loveth," with Thy celestial light, "where Thou feedest" Thy sheep, "where Thou liest in the midday," [1] that I may there fix my heart and my desires, and not go wandering any more to seek after vices!
POINT III.
1. At night 9 before I sleep, I will make another examination like that which I made before dinner, comparing the times that I sinned in the morning with those that I sinned in the evening; and if they were fewer I will give thanks to Almighty God for this amendment, because it has come from His hand; but if they were more, I am to confound myself to see that, instead of going forward, I turn back. But yet I am not to be dismayed, but purpose anew a very hearty amendment; for with such a battle the victory is obtained. For upon this, said the Holy Ghost, " a just man shall fall seven times, and shall rise again." [2] Giving it to be understood that, falling and yet rising again, he shall come by God's favour to stand upright The same comparison I should make between the sins of one day and those of another, according to the counsel of St. Basil; [3] and between those of one week and those of another, according to the counsel of St Dorotheus, helping my memory by noting them with two lines or strokes for every day in the week, putting in the one line as many dots as I
