without which this kingdom is not obtained. For the end is the rule of the means, and according to that all the works of our life are to be squared and directed; so that in this meditation all those ought to exercise themselves very often that walk in any of the three ways above mentioned, seeing all of them come to rely and stay upon one and the same final end. And it will serve also for an example in which we may see put in practice what has been said concerning mental prayer.
2. Afterwards, having done those three things which we spoke of in the fifth chapter, before I begin meditation, to tie my imagination to one place, in such a manner as it may be done here. I will imagine God our Lord seated on a throne of infinite majesty, like an immense sea, [1] from whence issue out the rivers of creatures, all returning to Himself, as to their final end and place of perpetual rest. Then will I humbly beseech Him for what I desire in this meditation; that is to say, celestial light to know my true final end, and to direct according to that my crooked life, saying with David, " Send forth, O Lord, from on high, Thy light and Thy truth," [2] that they may guide me, and bring me to Thy holy mount and to Thy everlasting habitations, for Thou didst create me to live in them. This done, I will begin my meditation in the form following.
POINT I.
The first point shall be to call to memory the end for which man was created: that is, to praise, reverence, and serve his God, and by this means to save his soul, [3] according to the saying of St. Paul to the Romans: " You have your fruit unto sanctification, and your end life everlasting." [4] As if he should say, " The aim and end of
