well and advance cheerfully " and in their hearts have disposed to ascend" (Ps. lxxxiii. 6) from virtue to virtue. Examine in which of these classes you have ranked yourself, or in which you would wish to be placed. The last is the only one in which you can find security and safety.
TUESDAY,
Christ Grows in Age and Wisdom.— II.
I. " Jesus increased in wisdom and age, and grace with God and men." We must also do this, Doth before God and men, and acoid extremes. The only care of many is to appear wise and virtuous before men; they disregard real virtue, and care not for the sight of God nor the wounds of their consciences. Such was the conduct of the Pharisees, of whom Christ says, " they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men to fast. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward." (Matt. vi. 16.) Examine whether this be not the motive of some of your actions at least. Do you not even sometimes frequent the sacraments or hear mass from mere human respect, and to avoid the imputation of being indevout? Correct every fault on this subject, and act with purity of intention.
II. There are others who, on the contrary, pay no regard to the edification of their neighbors, but in all their actions are guided by the principles of an indiscreet fervor. Their conduct is pregnant with mischief; " they have a zeal of God," says the Apostle, " but not according to knowledge." (Rom. x. 2.) Hence He exhorts persons of this character to " provide things good, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men." (Rom. xii. 17.)
